Authors: Jess Parry
As Shawn pulled up to the side of the house, cutting the engine, he turned to Sarah as unclipped his seatbelt.
“Home” was the only word he uttered before opening the door and climbing out. Jason opened the back door stepped out and stretched his arms to the sky. Grunting slightly as he felt his back popping, he sighed contentedly as he shook his shaggy hair out of his eyes. He walked over to the trunk of the car, whistled at Shawn who was staring off into the woods.
“Dude, pop the damn trunk”
Shawn looked down at the keys and found the trunk button, pushing it he heard the click of the trunk release.
“Come on, Siobhan, the sooner we talk to Shawn’s grandmother, the sooner we get that damn ring off and get back to our vacation” Sarah smiled at Siobhan encouraging
“Sarah, can I tell you something?” Siobhan asked quietly
“Sure”
“I feel like I’ve been here before. This place isn’t new to me. It’s like I know it, but I don’t. It’s all jumbled together, but it’s like there are pieces of a puzzle of a picture inside my head. I keep trying to fit them together, but just when I think I have it, they bow and form another curve that unhooks them.”
“Honey, that’s normal, hell this past week has just been damn crazy. It’s no wonder you are all jumbled in the head, Christ I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.” Sarah reached over the seat and grabbed her friends hand. “I love you so much Siobhan, you are the sister I always wished I could have had. This crazy ass ring is just stirring up shit, that’s all.”
“I hope you are right Sarah.”
“I am no come on and get your precious ass out of the goddamn car, my ass is asleep and my legs are beyond asleep, even the damn pins and needles would be a blessing right now”
Laughing Siobhan opened her door and followed Sarah around to the back of the car. Shawn was unloading their luggage from the back, as Jason started lift some of the bags.
“Well what or who do we have here?” came a lilting voice startling everyone
“Holy Hell! You scared the bejeezus out of me lady!” Sarah screeched
“Aye, then pay more attention” the older woman responded tartly
“Gran!” Shawn exclaimed before wrapping the older woman into a bear hug “Ah I’ve missed you”
The older woman chuckled “I’ve missed you to lad”
Siobhan watched the embrace between Shawn and his grandmother and felt a sharp pain in her heart with envy. Her grandmother’s wicked laughter and laughing blue eyes flashed into her mind. She missed her grandparents terribly and felt a sudden urge to call them. Reaching in her purse, she searched for her mobile; she remembered her dad said it was programmed for international use.
“Aye child, I wouldn’t be calling your grandparents just yet” Shawn’s grandmother replied to Siobhan
“What…how did you know I was going to do that?” Siobhan asked eyes wide in shock
“Tis an image I had, followed by the one that would change the path you need to be on child” the older woman promptly turned and started up the drive to the front door. “Well, come on I’m sure you all hungry, tired and we’ll need everyone bright eyed for our talk later”
Sarah walked over to Shawn grabbing his hand before whispering “Wow, your gran is kinda creepy, not in a bad way though”
“You’ll get used to it” Shawn whispered back before dropping a slight kiss onto Sarah’s cheek. “Come then, we shouldn’t keep her waiting”
Siobhan walked over to Jason and grabbed the rest of the luggage following behind everyone as they quickly made their way into the house. The smell of fresh baked bread wrapped around Siobhan reminding her of her grandparents’ house. Closing her eyes she briefly let the aroma settle her nerves, thinking this house is warm and welcoming, not perfectly in place as her home. Opening her eyes she looked around the entry way, the steps leading up to the second floor were a made out a dark wood, but little circular woven rugs were on each step to keep someone from slipping. Turning her head she saw the living room bathed in the afternoon sun as plants hung from the ceiling, sat in plant stands or rested comfortably on the mantle over the fireplace. Pictures were scattered throughout with different stages of Shawn’s life. He was always smiling broadly in them which calmed Siobhan even more; she knew this house was full of love.
Shawn dropped his bags near the stairwell before sauntering into the living room and plopping into the deep cushions of the light blue couch, Siobhan watched as he pulled Sarah onto the couch next to him. He leaned in and nestled into Sarah’s neck sighing contentedly. Siobhan tentatively walked into the room as Jason sat in one of the two single chairs facing the couch.
“Well this is cozy” Sarah sighed contently
“This is my safe haven” Shawn muttered as he yawned
“Ah, sweeties are you tired?” Sarah asked as she sat up and looked at Shawn
“A little, but my bed can wait a bit more”
“Where is your room anyway?” Sarah asked as intertwined her hand with Shawn’s
“Tis upstairs, second door on the left if you must know” Shawn’s grandmother answered
“Oh” Sarah exclaimed
“Gran” Shawn mumbled
“Don’t Gran me boy-o” Shawn’s grandmother said with a stern look “We have a lot to talk about tonight, everyone into the kitchen, let’s get some food in you before we begin.” Turning she headed in the kitchen. Grunting Shawn rose off the couch pulling Sarah with him.
“Let’s get on with it, she’s in a bit of a mood” Shawn muttered
“I heard that” Shawn’s grandmother called from the kitchen
“Wow, she can hear really well at her age” Sarah muttered softly
“You have no bloody idea” Shawn chuckled softly before quickly kissing Sarah “We’ll chat more in a bit”
Jason stood up walking over to Siobhan he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him.
“You are awfully quiet” he whispered into her ear
“Just taking it all in” Siobhan whispered back
“It’s going to be ok, you know that right?”
“It won’t be alright until we get through dinner and talk! Hurry up I don’t have all night!” Shawn’s grandmother called firmly
They quickly walked into the kitchen to find a table full of food waiting for them. Siobhan’s eyes widened as she took in the food before her.
“A feast!” Jason exclaimed “Man I’m starving!”
“Yes, well, two young men are bound to be hungry aren’t they?” Shawn’s grandmother replied as she slowly grinned
“thanks Gran” Shawn said appreciatively
“Thank you Shawn’s grandmother” Jason replied laughingly
“Tsk, call me Claire” Shawn’s grandmother replied chuckling
“Thank you Claire, my name is Jason, my girlfriend Siobhan” Jason pointed at Siobhan as she sat in the open chair next to him.
“Ah yes, the one that brought my Shawn home” Claire responded
“I’m sorry” Siobhan whispered
“Don’t be sorry girl, you are an old one” Claire responded
“Old one?” Siobhan asked quietly confusion crossing her face
“Yes, child old one, but we’ll talk more after dinner.” Claire reached over to one of the platters over flowing with potatoes and passed it to Shawn.
Siobhan shook her head at Sarah when she saw Sarah opening her mouth to speak. Closing it quickly, Sarah took the potatoes from Shawn and plopped some onto her plate. The ritual continued until everyone had a bit of everything on their plates. Eating in silence, Siobhan pushed her food around, her appetite lost.
“Siobhan, please eat something” Jason asked through a mouthful of food
“I am Jason”
“No, you’re pushing it around your plate”
“Seriously, Becky you need to eat something” Sarah started between bites “Wow, Claire this is really good!”
“Thank you” Claire responded
“I’m Sarah, by the way” Sarah spoke quietly between bites
“Yes dear, I know who you are” Claire responded as she rose to take her now empty plate to the sink
Sarah’s eyes widened as she choked on her drink and stared at Shawn. Shawn’s body erupted as laughter exploded from him.
“I called Gran today and told her I was coming home, I didn’t tell her why, but I did mention I wanted her to meet you and that your name is Sarah”
Sarah slapped Shawn on the shoulder as he continued laughing “Well thanks for telling me that!” Sarah exclaimed “I thought your grandmother had known my name by reading my mind!”
“Ahem, no I was able to tell who you were when Jason introduced Siobhan, that and your aura is very well so I knew you were not the one needing my help.” Claire responded
“Oh” Sarah mouthed as she watched Siobhan’s eyes begin to water
Blinking back tears, Siobhan stood feeling closed in; she wanted to bolt through the back door into their yard. She wanted to breathe in the night air and pretend everything was still normal.
“I suggest you sit back down” Claire responded sternly “You running off into the night isn’t going to help”
“How did you know I wanted to run?” Siobhan asked
“Easy enough to feel the chaos running through you at this moment, you want to run to those woods, but you are not ready to tread into the wild”
Dropping into the chair, tears silently fell down Siobhan’s face. Claire walked over and put her hands on Siobhan’s shoulders as she sobbed.
“Child, you are an old soul, but not lost as that damned witch said” Claire sq
u
eezed Siobhan’s shoulders “Come, I’ve put some water on for tea. I have just the blend that will help calm you” Turning Claire gazed into Shawn’s face, frowning slightly “Ah I would say you should have some too”
“Yes, Gran it’s been a long day and the tea will help” Shawn cleared his throat glancing at Sarah’s look of confusion
“Someone, want to explain what the hell, oops heck, is going?” Sarah replied loudly
“In time dear” Claire answered
“How about now” Sarah screeched “We’ve been in the hell the past few days and I’m really tired of all this cryptic crap!”
“Shawn, you are going to have your hands full with this one” Claire laughed as she pulled the screaming kettle off the stove. Reaching onto the shelf above the sink, she pulled out two glass jars and dropped leaves into two cups from one. Placing the leaves from the other glass jar into the other three cups, she poured the steaming hot water into them.
Siobhan watched as the steam began to rise towards the ceiling. It’s aroma was a mixture of earthy roots, but she also caught under currents of jasmine and Chamomile. Claire then added a couple of drops of honey into the first two cups before bringing them over and setting them in front of Siobhan and Shawn.
“Drink” Claire said calmly
Siobhan picked up the cup automatically and took a tentative sip of the hot fluid. The tea slid down easily down her throat, sending shivers of pleasure through her. She could taste the sweetness of the honey, but not the bitterness of the mug root and wolfs bain Claire had added. Siobhan immediately felt the tension within her dissipating as the warmth spread though her tired body.
Claire set the other cups in front of Jason, Sarah and sat down next to Siobhan with her own cup. Shawn blew lightly into his cup as he sipped. Silence fell around the room as everyone drank their tea, the occasional single call of an evening bird the only sound.
“Now, why don’t we start at the beginning?” Claire asked
“Oh where is that exactly?” Sarah responded
“Sarah!” Siobhan exclaimed
“Well, I mean where is the beginning… I mean come on, everything started getting freaky deaky the first damn night we arrived. We ran into those two guys, Simon and Marcus, they got us wasted and there was the witch Moira who went after Jason” Sarah huffed
Claire’s eyes widened in shock as she reached over and grabbed Siobhan’s hand tightly. Siobhan whimpered as she tightened her grip when Siobhan tried to pull away.
“Gran what is it?” Shawn asked as concern flooded him
“Shh child, I need to listen” was the only response Claire gave. Siobhan watched as Claire began shaking uncontrollably, her closed eyes fluttered quickly as her lips silently mouthed untellable words. The color drained from Claire’s face as the images flashed before her.
An image of Marcus standing beside Siobhan, his eyes glisten as he watched Siobhan drinking winter wine. Another flash of Siobhan in a crowded club, desire overflowing as she watched a demon slowing drinking a woman’s blood. A flash of darkness as she felt invisible arms enveloping Siobhan protectively. The sounds of a heartbreaking voice invade Claire, the longing of love filling her with sadness.
Ripping her hand from Siobhan, Claire whimpered as she rose from the table rushing to the sink. Grabbing a bowl she quickly filled it with water from a bucket before dropping her hand into it. Shawn jumped up quickly, knocking his chair over as he raced to his grandmother’s side.
“Gran, what the hell just happened?” Shawn asked quickly
“Oh my boy, you and your friends are in terrible danger” Claire’s voice trembled