Part One
Monday, October 27, 1997.
The last week of October found itself full of chilly gusts, gorgeous oranges and reds, fake spider webs stretched across doorways; in short, fall had fully encompassed Dani’s small Pacific Northwest city.
It was late afternoon, and Dani was in her regular spot in the coffee shop next to the music shop, idly discussing this and that with Hannah, who leaned against the counter casually, Dani her only customer.
“Owen says you should come by after your last lesson for free pie, by the way,” Hannah shared, now idly polishing the espresso machine as Dani sipped at her coffee.
“Sounds good,” Dani nodded, eyes focused outside of the small cafe, as a curly haired cyclist pulled up in front of the strip. Dani watched Jamie hop off her road bike, lock it to the bars in front of the coffee shop, and head over in the direction of the radio station just on the other side of the music shop.
“What are you -- oh,” Hannah narrowed her eyes then smirked at her deduction.
“Do you think she even thinks about me? Like thinks about me?” Dani pined, eyes following Jamie until the edge of the window precluded her from observing the brunette for any longer.
“Well you certainly think about her quite a bit,” Hannah quipped.
Dani turned to shoot Hannah a glare, and in the brief moment her head was turned, the tinkling of the bell on the coffee shop’s door resounded.
Jamie had unexpectedly popped inside.
“Hey Hannah…” Jamie smiled, then turned her head to acknowledge Dani, “Poppins,” She grinned.
Dani frowned, “It was one time. My student was a big Mary Poppins fan and really wanted to know how to play A Spoonful of Sugar,” She quickly explained the tune overheard the single time she left her practice room door open to the world.
Jamie just smirked and winked at her. She turned back to Hannah, “One shot please. They want me to do two hours on air today.”
Hannah pulled the espresso while eyeing Dani eyeing Jamie in a completely conspicuous way.
Before Dani could work up the courage to say anything else, her Casio beeped intrusively. She had a lesson. Dani sighed as Hannah handed over the small cup of espresso to Jamie, who downed it immediately.
Hannah looked over to Dani at the noise, “You’ve got a lesson? Now?” She sounded surprised.
Dani pulled a face at her. “Yes. Now. They had to reschedule because of a dentist’s appointment.”
Hannah frowned, “But--”
“Okay! I need to go.” Dani gathered her things, shooting another pointed look at Hannah.
Jamie watched the exchange with a quirked brow. “I should be going too,” She chimed in. “See you both.” She met Dani’s eyes with a brief smile before popping out of the coffee shop as swiftly as she appeared.
Hannah finally spoke up, “You’re going to miss her show so some little numb mouth can learn Für Elise?”
Dani pulled a Walkman out of her bag and gave Hannah a triumphant grin. “Bobby can practice for as long as he likes.”
xxx
Inside Dani’s practice room, an 8 year old pounded out a poor rendition of Ode to Joy on the piano. Dani nodded along behind him, periodically offering a word of encouragement. Secretly tucked under her blonde hair she had her earbuds in, Jamie’s voice smoothly opening her show.
“We’ve got KCMU’s countdown to Halloween programming lined up for you all week, but as you may know by now, I’m here on a simple mission: music from me to you. Up first, Siouxsie Sioux. ”
For the next forty-five minutes, Dani feigned instructing her student while secretly swooning for Jamie.
Xxx
Dani found herself in the pizza shop post-lessons, sharing a booth with Hannah as they nibbled at the slices Owen had laid out before them.
“On the house,” He smiled magnanimously. “It’s a new recipe.”
The pair had mimed delight at the pineapple monstrosity. The torrential downpour on the other side of the pizza shop's glass window ensconced them in a muffled dimension. They felt tucked away and content despite the experimental pizza before them. Their calm camaraderie was broken as the front door shoved open, the chill wet suddenly gusting inside with a hooded figure. The trio stared in startled anticipation.
Once inside, the figure flung back the hood of their coat, sending a spray of rain water onto the floor.
Jamie beamed at them, eyes glancing to the table and then lighting up.
“Have you made the pineapple one again?”
Owen smiled, glad for the eager diner. “Finally, someone who appreciates a little adventure on their dough.” He quickly stepped behind the counter, putting a fresh slice on a plate for Jamie. He brought it back to the booth as Jamie shook the rest of the way out of her drenched rain coat and collapsed into the booth beside Dani. The blonde stiffened, swallowing thickly, as Hannah smirked at her from across the table.
“Cheers,” Jamie lifted the slice and gestured to Owen, before taking a big mouthful and mmm-ing into the bite. She swallowed, eyes closed. “The man is a veritable pizza genius .”
Owen wore a self-satisfied smile now. He leaned against the back of the booth, over Hannah’s shoulder. “Thank you, Jamie. I think such a glowing review may warrant free slices for life .”
“Ugh, Owen! I’ve been a loyal customer for a full year and I always tip you 100%!” Dani complained, her nervousness dissipating.
“But you don’t like my pineapple pizza,” Owen looked down his nose at her.
Dani made another noise of frustration but didn’t counter his point.
“Don’t worry, Poppins. I kind of have a deal with the head chef, maybe if you wanted to have dinner together sometime--” Jamie was interrupted before she could finish.
“It’s Dani. And I’m a piano teacher , not a babysitter!”
“Well, to be fair, Mary Poppins was more of a live-in nanny…” Hannah piped in. Jamie nodded, pointing a finger at her.
“Very true, Hannah,” Jamie conferred.
Dani groaned again. “It doesn’t matter! The analogy doesn’t work!”
“Okay, how ‘bout this one: it’s raining cats and dogs out there,” Owen eyed the storm through the front window. “Oh wait, that’s an idiom isn’t it?” He frowned.
“Isn’t it though?” Jamie responded, turning to peer over her shoulder now. “This is when commuting by bike feels like the worst decision of my life.” She slumped back on the table, pushing her now empty plate forward a bit.
“You know, Dani drives a station wagon if you need a lift?” Hannah offered for the blonde, shooting her friend a wink that was met with a look of pure panic.
Jamie sat back up, smiling again and eyeing Dani now. “A station wagon, eh? Sounds like something a nanny might drive to tote around all her little wards…”
“Oh my god,” Dani rubbed her hands over her face, steeling her resolve. “A station wagon is just practical. Try fitting a bike in the back of a two door!”
“So is that a formal offer, then?” Jamie queried.
Dani sighed, nudging at Jamie’s shoulder. “Come on, before I change my mind.”
xxx
Jamie’s bike made jingling noises in the back of the station wagon as Dani plowed through the rain, her grip tight on the steering wheel, her focus locked forward. The drive so far had been awkward and quiet, just the noise of the rain muffling them in again.
“Do you mind if I...?” Jamie finally spoke up, reaching forward and gesturing toward the radio.
“No, go ahead,” Dani briefly glanced over. Jamie moved to adjust the dial, but it was already tuned to KCMU, so she left it. One of the other DJs was on the air, droning something about jazz. Dani chewed on her bottom lip, risking another look at Jamie. She eventually gathered the gumption. “Your set was really good today.”
A slow smile bloomed on Jamie’s face. “You listened?” The question held a note of surprise.
“Mhm,” Dani didn’t take her eyes off the road this time, could feel Jamie’s stare well enough without. Another quiet few moments. “You have...really good taste in music,” Dani finally added, now taking a quick look over.
All of Jamie’s teeth were out now. “Really?”
Dani offered a terse nod.
Jamie let out an amused chuff, “Who the hell knew.”
Dani frowned a little, looking over at Jamie. “Just because I’m a piano teacher doesn’t mean I only sit around and listen to Beethoven, you know.”
Jamie raised her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. So what do you listen to?”
“I told you you have good taste, didn’t I?” Dani rolled her eyes, and pressed the stereo over to the tape function.
Jamie raised a pleased eyebrow at the Black Tambourine filling the car. She reappraised the blonde in the driver’s seat. “Okay, where’s the rest then?”
Dani reached over Jamie and pulled open the glove box. A neat row of cassettes presented themselves. Jamie thumbed through them slowly, her smirk growing bigger.
“I guess you’re right, I do have good taste in music.”
Dani gave her a look, “If that was supposed to be a compliment to me, you didn’t quite do it right.” She slowed the car to a stop, looked at Jamie expectantly. The brunette got lost in her eyes for a moment. Dani broke it, unbeknownst, “Um, this is your street right?”
Jamie blinked up, looked out the window. “Oh. Yeah.”
xxx
Dani stood awkwardly at the back of the station wagon, having insisted on opening it for Jamie to remove her bike. The rain had slowed to a drizzle now, but Dani still tucked her arms around herself for warmth.
Jamie removed her bike and righted it on the ground, closing the trunk for the blonde. “Well...thanks for the ride.” She rolled her bike a little, back and forth.
“Yeah…” Dani watched her. “You know, if it’s ever raining on your way home, you could always ask for a ride again…” She swallowed.
“If that was supposed to be a standing invitation...thank you,” Jamie smiled warmly at the blonde. “Goodnight, Dani.”
“Night.”
Dani got back in her car, loitering a few moments longer to watch Jamie fade into the darkness down the block.
Xxx
Tuesday.
“Good afternoon, Miss Clayton!” The synchronized and overly polite duo chimed from the entrance to the music shop.
“Hi guys,” Dani smiled down at Flora and Miles. “You really can call me Dani in here, promise.”
The door swung open again, this time by a very harried looking man.
“Hi, Mr. Wingrave,” Dani greeted, her mind flipping through the few reasons for the kids’ guardian to follow them inside. “You paid through the end of the month already…”
“Yes, yes. I’m afraid I come to you rather in a bind,” He made a pained face. “You see, the children’s sitter has just this moment cancelled on us for a night out I’ve planned for months. Thursday night. I’ve got an engagement I absolutely must attend--”
Dani glanced at the two kids guiltily. “I’m sorry, Mr. Wingrave, I’m not really a babysitter…”
“No, of course you aren’t. I understand your time is more valuable than that, but…I would be willing to compensate to match your tutor rates. I know it is very last minute, but I can promise a handsome tip for your troubles.”
“Um,” Dani wavered, looking between the man and his kids, her brow crumpling more and more.
“How about a flat $150 for seven-thirty to midnight. And then another $50 for any hour over that.”
“ Please , Miss Clayton,” Flora whispered, clutching her hands together in a beg.
“Okay. Sure. Thursday night.” Dani finally relented, a mildly defeated smile gracing her face.
Xxx
“How did last night go, by the way?” Hannah barely suppressed a smile.
“God, never do that again,” Dani glared across the booth at her friend.
“That badly, then?” Hannah grinned. She sipped a beer, glancing back into the kitchen where Owen sang loudly along to the radio. “He really lets loose after 9, doesn’t he?”
“I can still hear you!” He shouted, coming through the swinging doors with a full pie. “A classic for my very favourite customers.” He sat down a pizza topped with thick slices of fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomato slices and a chiffonade of basil. With a small flourish of a bow, he sat down next to Hannah in the booth.
“Thank you, dear,” Hannah patted his cheek sweetly.
“Ah! Dani,” Owen suddenly turned to the blonde. “Have you settled on a costume then?”
“Um,” Dani glanced between Owen and Hannah. “A costume...for...what?” She swallowed a bite of pizza.
Owen’s face dropped.
“Oh no,” Hannah murmured.
“My party?” Owen asked, timidly.
Dani stared at him blankly for a minute before clueing in. “God, your Halloween party, of course! I almost forgot, sorry,” She made a sheepish face at the man.
“Day before Halloween party,” Owen clarified.
“Day before?” Dani reverted to her habitual nervous expression.
“Right. Because I have to work the shop night of proper Halloween.”
Dani sighed, dropping her face into her hands. “Owen…”
“No...Dani....”
The door pushed open, Jamie stepping inside and glancing about. “What’s this then? Who died?”
Owen’s crestfallen face stared back at her, mouth opening and closing ineffectively.
“Dani can’t make Owen’s Halloween party,” Hannah filled in sympathetically.
Jamie approached the table, looking down at Dani with a frown. “You’re not going?”
Dani grimaced under another weight of disappointment. “I...I have another obligation.”
The three looked at her, baited. “Well?” Owen asked.
“I um, have to babysit some of my students,” Dani rushed out, mumbling the words as much as possible.
“Did you say babysit ?” Jamie smirked down at the blonde.
“Oh, here we go,” Hannah sighed.
Dani groaned, “Don’t start,” She looked pointedly at Jamie. “It was a very last minute, put on the spot situation. And the kids begged me. And...Mr. Wingrave is going to pay me more than I make in a week of piano lessons.”
The group’s faces softened.
“Ah, well then, you can’t argue with cash now can you,” Owen relented, his pout easing away.
“I’m going to be a bit late myself,” Jamie interjected, “I’ve to cover the 10pm slot at the station. Maybe you could just come over once your gig is done?” She suggested to Dani, hopeful.
Dani frowned, still. “He said he’s probably not going to be back until after midnight…”
“Now hold on, I’m not some ancient party host!” Owen’s face lit up again. “I mean, I will be dressed as an ancient mummy, but we will certainly still be raging after midnight...right, Hannah?”
“Oh, I’m sure,” She replied, a smirk and twinkle in her eye.
“Right then, it’s settled. You’ll come over after you’re relieved of your duties. And you better have a costume!”
Xxx
Wednesday.
It felt like the hundredth rendition of Chopsticks Dani had heard in the day. She casually kept an eye on her Casio, counting down the seconds until the display rolled over to 3pm. Thankfully, it was her last lesson of the day. If she swung by for an afternoon coffee from Hannah, she would have plenty of time to make it back home and tune into Jamie’s broadcast.
She waved goodbye to the clerk at the counter of the music shop on her way out, and swung around the corner of the doorway only to nearly crash into Jamie.
“Oh!” Dani stuttered backwards a few steps to keep from colliding.
“Hi,” Jamie smiled. “I was actually hoping to find you here.”
Dani swallowed, still shook up from the close encounter. “You were?”
“Yeah, you got a minute?”
“Um, yeah. Yes. I’m done for the day,” Dani gestured over her shoulder to the music shop.
Jamie smiled again. “Good.” She took a step forward and then turned back to Dani. “Do you want come in with me for a bit?” She tilted her head toward the radio station.
“Okay.” Dani swallowed again, swiping away the sweat on her palms on her jeans.
Xxx
“So this is where I sit and do my silly little business,” Jamie explained, plunking down into an office chair on wheels. She spun around, arms spread out to the small broadcasting booth.
“It’s nice.” Dani responded, eyes flickering about to the different equipment, microphones, soundboards, a small spattering of random instruments.
“Okay, maybe it’s not the most exciting place…” Jamie added, a touch self-conscious, now observing the space more critically.
Meanwhile, Dani’s fingers had found their way to the Moog synthesizer stashed unceremoniously in the corner of the sound booth. She flipped it on, incredulous. “I can’t believe you have one of these just tucked away over here…”
Jamie looked over to see Dani’s rapt expression. “Oh yeah, one of the other hosts brought it over awhile ago. For in studio performances…” Jamie’s explanation fell away as a twinkling and eerie melody issued forth from Dani’s practiced hands. Jamie’s mouth hung open, speechless for a moment as the Suspiria theme filled the small room. She finally spoke, “If I had known you were over there teaching the kids Goblin, I might have signed up for a lesson by now.”
This broke Dani from the spell and she looked up at Jamie’s smirk sheepishly. “I played like three bars of The Exorcist theme once and Jerry, the owner of the music shop, almost kicked me out of the practice room. Seriously. He thought it was going to summon something…” Dani returned Jamie’s smile, a brief moment passing between the two.
Jamie spoke first. “I have something for you.”
Dani tilted her head questioningly.
Jamie reached over, opened a drawer in the desk, plucked out an object and then held out the small rectangle to the blonde. Dani stepped closer, taking the offering. She stared down at the cassette in her hands. FOR DANI was written in Jamie’s scrawl across the label.
“I made it for you,” Jamie clarified, a bit of nervousness coming through her voice.
“Thank you,” Dani looked up to meet her gaze, a small smile still in place. Jamie nodded, glancing down, bashful. “Hey, do you wanna grab a coffee with me before your set?” Dani asked, emboldened.
Jamie’s eyes returned. “Yes, definitely.”
xxx
Hannah’s eyebrows rose as the pair walked through her cafe's doorway. “Hello, you two,” She greeted.
They both greeted her in turn, Dani shooting a look at the barely perceptible waggle of Hannah’s brows.
“Your usuals, then?” Hannah asked.
“Please,” Jamie smiled, leaning against the counter, eyes continually drifting back to Dani.
“Lessons all done for the day?” Hannah asked, trying to lighten the distinct tension between the pair.
“Mhm,” Dani murmured, hand tracing over the shape of the cassette she had tucked in her denim jacket pocket.
“Oh, before I forget,” Hannah turned away from the espresso bar, the machine hissing away and dripping into the small shot glass. “Jamie, Owen was in a bit of a tizzy over his party’s music situation. He wanted to ask if you could bring over some of your spookier albums tomorrow?”
“Sure thing,” Jamie responded, “But you know, he could have quite a live little show if Dani--”
The blonde kicked at Jamie’s boot with a look. “Oh, shut up,” Dani rolled her eyes at her defensively.
Jamie smirked again, “Sorry, forget I mentioned it,” She said to Hannah, who gingerly sat their prepared coffees in front of them.
“Already forgotten,” Hannah winked at Dani, making a shooing motion with her hand.
The pair took their drinks and settled in to a small table near the front window, Hannah disappearing in the back of the shop to give them a bit of privacy.
Jamie sipped at her espresso, eyes once again lingering over Dani. “So,” She started, calling Dani’s attention. “Now that I know you have a penchant for the macabre, what are you going to dress as for Owen’s party?”
Dani sighed, a regretful expression washing over her features. “Jamie, I really don’t know if I’ll be able to make it. Mr. Wingrave didn’t give me any definitive time frame...he only told me he’ll pay me more the longer he’s gone. Which feels like he’s implying he’ll be gone for a long time.”
Jamie’s face fell a fraction. “Shame,” she murmured, fiddling with the tiny espresso cup in front of her.
Dani took a deep breath, gripping the tape in her pocket, and feeling courageous for once. “But...maybe we could do something this weekend?”
Jamie’s eyes shot up to meet Dani’s, a hint of surprise reflected. “We as in…?”
“Do you want to see a movie with me this weekend?” Dani clarified, meeting Jamie’s gaze head on. “And maybe after we could have dinner...not at Owen’s?”
“ Oh ,” Jamie’s realization drew forth a genuine smile.
The lack of consent to the idea quickly drew Dani into a follow up ramble, “I mean, if you’re busy that’s totally fine, I know it’s kind of last minute and you probably already have plans, but I--”
“I’d love to.”
Dani froze, finally acknowledging the way Jamie was looking at her. “You would?”
“Yes,” Jamie’s smile deepened. “So what are you going to take me to see?” She raised a brow at the blonde.
Dani tried to get a grip on her grin. “Well, um, I still haven’t seen I Know What You Did Last Summer …”
“Right then. Shall I come ‘round yours or…?” Jamie took the last swig of her espresso, seemingly infinitely energized.
“I can pick you up,” Dani asserted. “5 o’clock Saturday?”
“5 o’clock Saturday,” Jamie confirmed with a smile, pushing up from her seat as she glanced at the clock hung behind Hannah’s counter. “I better get over there,” Jamie nodded her head in the direction of the station. “But I will see you Saturday, Poppins.”
She left with a wink and a grin.
Xxx
Thursday.
“Hello Miss Clayton!” The Wingrave children chimed in unison as they eagerly yanked their front door open for Dani.
“Hi guys,” Dani smiled sweetly at the two, promptly being tugged inside by two sets of demanding hands.
“Oh Miss Clayton! You look just like Mary Poppins!” Flora exclaimed, beaming with wonder up at her babysitter who wore a characteristic white blouse with a loose red ribbon tied into a bow around her collar, tucked into a black skirt and black stockings. A small black hat perched on her blond hair and she had a black umbrella clutched in one hand. “You look wonderful ,” Flora fawned.
Dani smiled down at her. “I thought it was a funny little joke, since I’m your babysitter for the night.”
“Oh it is! It’s very clever, Miss Clayton,” Flora showed her all of her teeth, and once again began pulling her further into the house. “Come with us, you must see the fort Miles and I built!”
“Now, now children, give us a moment,” Henry Wingrave swept down the stairs, in a simple but expensive looking tuxedo.
“Hi, Mr. Wingrave,” Dani greeted.
“It’s actually Bond. James Bond, tonight.” He produced a small plastic pistol tucked away in the back of his pants. He offered her a rare smile, which Dani returned.
“Of course,” Dani acquiesced. “Your costume looks great.”
“Thank you for the perfunctory compliment, I’ll take it,” He quickly grabbed his wallet and car keys off a small entrance table before turning back to the babysitter. “Alright, you should find everything in order here. I’ve left cash on the table for pizza if you and the children would like, as well as your payment for the evening. Tip when I get home, of course, just to make sure you haven’t burnt the place to the ground.” He winked at Dani before turning to the kids. “Have a good evening my moppets, and please do behave for Miss Clayton. We don’t want to scare her off for good.” He squatted down and gave the children a quick hug and pats on the head. “See you tomorrow morning.”
“Goodbye!” The children chimed yet again, as Henry ducked out of the front door with a final wave to Dani.
As soon as the front door shut behind him, Flora squealed. “Oh, what a perfectly spooky night this will be, Miss Clayton! The eve before All Hallow’s Eve. All Hallow’s Eve Eve?” She pondered, getting lost in the trail of thought.
“It’s nothing so special,” Miles cut in. “But I would like to watch scary movies, can we please, Miss Clayton?”
“Oh, yes, let’s!” Flora joined in on the idea.
“Um,” Dani hesitated, looking back and forth between the two. “Is that something you’re normally allowed to do?”
“Well...sometimes…” Miles responded vaguely.
“Maybe let’s start with something...only sort of spooky,” Dani suggested, leading them into the living room. She turned on the tv, flipping through the channels before alighting upon Hocus Pocus . Flora gave out a small cheer, and Miles settled in without complaint. Dani unpinned her hat, setting it aside on the couch, and loosened her up-do to be more comfortable.
She glanced down at her Casio. 8:30. Owen’s party was starting in an hour. She still felt guilty, and even more than that, disappointed she would be missing the opportunity to see Jamie.
As the kids watched the movie, Dani’s eyes drifted about the home. It was expensive and tasteful. She looked at the large, floor to ceiling windows at the back of the living room, overlooking a quaint backyard surrounded by a cast iron gate. The backyard was sloped, running down down down, until Dani noticed a brick wall. She stood, moving closer to the window for a better look.
There, just past the limits of the Wingrave’s backyard, sat the Crown Hill Cemetery.
Dani stared down through the darkness, beyond the cemetery’s entrance, where she swore she saw the faint flicker of candlelight. She squinted, leaning close to the glass of the window, nearly pressing her face against it now.
“Miss Clayton!” Flora exclaimed, making the blonde spin about in a start. “You’re missing the movie!”
Dani rearranged her face into a smile, and once again joined the kids on the couch.
xxx
Three hooded figures continued their trek across the cemetery, one small flame hovering in the hands of the leader of the trio. “Almost there,” He whispered back to the other two, making his way closer to one of the mausoleums up ahead. He flipped the zippo closed once they were on the front steps. “This should be it. The geographical center of the cemetery.”
One of the other hoods spoke up. “How do we get inside?”
The leader produced a large pair of bolt cutters from his backpack. They began to work at the chain securing the mausoleum’s doors.
xxx
“Okay, it’s 10pm guys, that’s pretty late,” Dani tried to influence the kids who had immediately asked to watch another movie after the first had ended. “Don’t you think it’s time to head upstairs and get ready for bed?”
“Oh but Miss Clayton, we’ve barely gotten to do anything fun at all!” Flora bemoaned.
“What about the movie? And the pizza? That you got to pick the toppings for,” Dani reasoned.
“Please Miss Clayton! One game!” Miles begged, joining in.
Dani frowned a little but looked between the kids and then back at her watch. She sighed. “Okay, one game...of hide and seek?” She suggested tentatively.
“Yes!”
“Hide and seek!” Flora sang, immediately springing up, readying herself to hide. “But you have to be the seeker, Miss Clayton!”
“Okay, okay,” Dani relented, covering her eyes and beginning the countdown from 30.
xxx
Inside the mausoleum, the space was prepared for the ceremony. A pentagram had been drawn on the ground. Three mirrors had been placed on three equal points away from one another just outside of the pentagram. In between the mirrors, a series of candles had been lit, in an alternating pattern of white and black wax.
The hooded trio placed themselves around the paraphernalia, also in a circle.
“Are we sure this is going to work?” One of them asked.
“Hush, don’t even bring your doubt into this space,” The leader reprimanded. “We should do the blood letting now.”
“Now?” The other questioned. “But it’s not even midnight yet!”
“I told you, I am not missing this opportunity again. We’re not fucking it up this time,” The leader insisted. “We spill the blood, and then we start the ritual. That way when it strikes midnight and the veil is fully opened, the Lord of the Dead simply has to follow the trail we’ve laid. It’ll be like a beacon in the dark.”
With one final glance at one another, the two followers offered up their open palms, allowing the leader to swipe the ceremonial dagger through their skin.
xxx
“...Ready or not, here I come,” Dani called out, finally uncovering her eyes. She began a quiet search, first starting in the kitchen. She looked under the table, in a few cabinets, before making her way back into the foyer. She checked the coat closet, the formal living room, and behind the curtains in the family room. As she pulled back the second curtain panel, something in the distance caught her eye again. She could have sworn she saw a brief pulse of purple electricity out in the cemetery, as if a sudden moment of lightning had touched the ground, though the sky was perfectly clear.
xxx
“Did you see that?” One of the hoods whispered.
“Don’t break your concentration!” Their leader scolded, before resuming his murmuring of an incantation under his breath.
The follower couldn’t help it though, and risked another glance through the mausoleum’s open doors.
There, no further than 30 metres away, a hulking, shadowed thing began stalking off, towards the cemetery’s gates.
xxx
“I think I know…” Dani stepped softly into Mile’s bedroom upstairs. “Exactly…” A few more silent steps. “Where you are!” She tore open the closet, and Miles came tumbling out, giggling.
“Got you,” Dani smiled, triumphant. “Now, wanna help me find your sister?”
Miles nodded, opening his mouth to assent before a blood curdling shriek resounded through the house.
Dani’s stomach lurched. She spun on her heel running back out to the upstairs hallway. “Flora?!”
“Miss Clayton!” Flora shrieked from somewhere downstairs.
Dani stumbled in her rush, tearing down the stairs, desperate to find the child. “Flora, where are you?!”
“Miss Clayton, please!”
This time Dani rushed toward the sound, finally able to pinpoint a more precise location.
Flora was cowering on the ground in the living room, as if she had fallen over. Dani swiftly came to her side, gently cradling her shoulders. “What happened? Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
“Miss Clayton,” Flora sniffled, eyes brimming with tears. “I just saw the most dreadful monster out the window.”
Dani swallowed, stomach tumbling again with nerves. “I-in the backyard?” She clarified.
“Yes, it was huge and hairy and it looked me right in the eye,” Flora shuddered, hiding her face against Dani.
“Do you think it’s here to kill us?” Miles asked calmly, on the other side of the room. He seemed transfixed with the window.
Flora whimpered, pressing her face further into Dani’s shirt.
“Miles,” Dani scolded, shooting him a reproachful look. “Not helpful.”
“Shall I go have a look in the garden? Would that be more helpful?” He offered instead, already moving towards the back door.
“No!” Dani yelped. She cleared her throat, worried eyes trying to peer out the giant windows. “No, you can’t go outside. I’ll...listen, you stay here with your sister. I’ll go look outside.”
“Oh Miss Clayton, please be careful. It was so tall and awful,” Flora begged.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back,” Dani promised, squeezing the girl’s shoulders and leading her to the couch to sit with her brother. She took a deep breath to resolve her fortitude and then began to march towards the back door. She paused, glancing over at the fireplace. Rerouting, she grabbed a heavy iron poker from the hearth, before turning back along her determined route. “Stay here,” She instructed a final time, firmly, before opening the backdoor and quietly stepping out.
She hesitated at the top of the small staircase down to the backyard, eyes straining in the darkness to make anything out. She softly tread down the stairs, careful to not make a noise with her footsteps. She glanced into the house now, the children clearly visible through the large windows, illuminated inside.
A twig snapped somewhere nearby.
Dani swallowed, eyes snapping back to the darkness around her.
She held perfectly still, fist gripping the fire iron tightly.
An inhuman snorting noise sounded from her right.
She spun.
There, with glowing red eyes, was a hulking beast of eight feet. Hooved, horned, and snarling with razor teeth. And staring directly at Dani.
Before she could react, it was charging toward her. Out of a mix of fear and bravery, she raised the fire iron as it was nearly upon her and thrust forward, letting out a yelp.
The monster screamed in pain. The fire iron was wrenched from Dani’s grip and now sat lodged firmly in the beast’s chest. It bared its teeth at her, stumbling backwards a few steps.
Now defenseless and with adrenaline coursing fully through her veins, Dani raced back up the steps, tore inside and slammed the door behind her.
“Turn off the lights!” She yelled at the kids, flipping all of the locks on the door.
The children responded immediately, the lights flicking off in an instant. The trio hung in the dark, only Dani’s deep panting echoing about the room.
A few moments passed. Nothing pounding on the door behind Dani to get in...yet.
“Miss Clayton…” Flora whispered.
“Upstairs. Now. We need to hide.”
xxx
They had barricaded themselves in Miles’ room; Dani had managed to shove the dresser in front of the door with some effort and now paced back and forth, mind racing, mouth down-turned with worry. The children watched her, perched on Miles’ bed.
“Okay, they probably won’t believe me, but I need to call the police,” She finally decided, ceasing her repetitive movements. “Miles, do you have a phone in here?”
The boy pointed to a Lego phone sitting on a small desk in the corner.
Dani stepped to the phone, lifted the receiver, and felt relief at the dial tone on the other end. “Alright, everything’s going to be fine,” She reassured the children before dialing 9-1-1.
A busy tone answered back. Dani swallowed. She hung up the receiver, picked it up, dialed 9-1-1 again.
Another busy tone. She felt the thumping return to her rib cage, kept the receiver to her ear as she fumbled for another plan.
“Miss Clayton,” Miles whispered.
Dani turned to see the boy peering out of his bedroom window.
She stepped closer to join him at the window, receiver still blaring the busy tone in her ear.
Her eyes widened at the sight down below.
Shadowed figures of all shapes and sizes, dozens of them, crept, crawled, and slunk from the graveyard down the hill, fanning out into the surrounding neighborhood.
xxx
“Alright dear listeners, my shift is almost up for the evening, after which you can keep the station on to follow Kyle down a proper excursion into the unknown depths of electronica, as we draw closer and closer to midnight. I am a bit late to my own festivities, but I hope you all--”
Jamie cut herself off, a red light suddenly blinking on the station telephone sitting before her on the soundboard.
“Well, this is a bit of a rarity, but we have a phone-in. This better not be someone asking me what my favorite scary movie is…” Jamie pressed a line button on the phone. “You’re on KCMU, how can I help you?”
“Jamie.”
“Dani?” Jamie rose her eyebrows, a smile slowly drifting onto her face. “Well, this I was not expecting…”
“Jamie, listen…” The edge of panic came through the line. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but...something’s happening.”
“Something like what?” Jamie frowned, face turning serious.
“Something bad. I can’t get through to the police, the line is busy, and...it’s not safe outside. I don’t know what to do…”
“Woah woah, what’s going on? Where are you?”
“I’m still at the Wingrave’s. I think something happened in the Crown Hill Cemetery, it’s right behind the house…”
Jamie furrowed her brow, “Something happened in the cemetery...Something like Return of the Living Dead something? Dani, are you messing--”
“I’m serious,” Dani interrupted. “I-I’m sorry. I don’t know why I called the station, I just… Be careful, Jamie. It’s not safe out there.”
“Hey, wait,” Jamie’s voice softened. “Just stay put, alright? Everything’s going to be okay.”
Jamie put a tape in a deck, took her headphones off, and pressed play. Slipping into a vest, Jamie left the station without a glance back, promptly unlocking her bike and taking off.
xxx
Jamie slowed her pedaling, squinting up at the nearest street sign. She was pretty sure the next right would bring her down the block of houses that abutted the cemetery… She looked forward again, and put her feet down on the ground, halting herself suddenly.
In the center of the road, somebody was hunched in the shadows, just outside the spotlight of the streetlamps.
Jamie swallowed, holding perfectly still as she watched them.
They seemed occupied, their body moving slightly, as if they were collecting something from the ground in front of them.
A muffled scream sounded somewhere from behind Jamie.
Before she could turn around to see, the person in front of her lept to their feet.
Jamie froze again.
The person was not a person. A pair of black, leathery wings suddenly outstretched from its body, a wingspan of at least six feet. The wings flexed and rippled, fully functioning, not a cheap Halloween costume on a child. Its head snapped to fix on Jamie, a pair of yellow eyes locking on with an unnerving intensity.
“Shit ,” Jamie hushed, quickly stepping on her pedal and pushing off into the right turn, down the side street she hoped would lead to Dani.
She heard a screeching behind her, and the loud slap of wings beating the air down. Then another scream from a different direction in the neighborhood. Jamie tucked her head low, not risking looking back to see where the creature might be now. She pedaled hard, whipping past the row of houses.
And then, there. Up head. She saw the familiar shape of Dani’s station wagon, parked in front of a stately two story home. Just two houses away now.
Another figure stepped onto the road in front of her from the left side of the road. She screeched to another halt, her bike sliding out sideways beneath her.
This one towered over her, a deep rattling noise coming from its chest.
Jamie glanced from its horns, to its chest which was covered in blood, as it let out a horrifying roar in her direction. She dropped her bike where she was and started sprinting toward the Wingrave’s house.
She heard the thump of hooves pick up behind her, hot in pursuit. She jumped into a front yard, ducking behind a few trees, still rushing towards the house. She cleared a small row of hedges, only one more yard to go. She finally stumbled into the Wingrave’s front yard, foot sinking into a muddy flower bed and making her slip a little. She took the front steps two at a time, crashing against the front door with her fists.
“Dani!” She pounded, glancing over her shoulder, trying to get eyes on the beast. “Dani, it’s me! Open the door!” She knocked as loud as she could, then heard a rustling behind her. She turned, pressing her back against the door. The monster stood at the very end of the Wingrave’s sidewalk, a straight shot to Jamie, air puffing out of its snout as hot steam as it snarled at her.
Its red eyes stared her down, and finally, it began to charge towards her.
She clenched her fists, readying herself for the attack, back pressing painfully into the wooden door behind her.
And then she was falling backwards.