At the mention of their dad, Becka and Scott fell silent. It had been over a year since their father had disappeared and was presumed dead on the mission field in South America, where their family had been stationed. They had moved to Crescent Bay, California, for a fresh start. And while Becka and Scott were distracted with new friends at school, their mom seemed to have aged with each passing day.
Mrs. Williams broke the silence. She opened her purse and pulled out a pocket date book. “Actually, this is just the beginning of my personal transformation,” she said with a smile. She consulted her calendar. “This weekend I’ve decided to go to that Free to Be women’s retreat. The speaker is supposed to help us develop our mind, body, and spirit. The kickoff is tonight. I’ll be home sometime on Sunday afternoon.”
Becka nodded. “I read about that in the church bulletin. Sounds very cool.”
“I figured what better way to get started with the new me than with a new do,” Mrs. Williams said.
“A what?” Scott said.
“As in hairdo, you harebrain,” Becka said.
“Well, excu-u-use me for not being up on the latest hairstyle lingo.”
Mrs. Williams pointed to the calendar in front of her. “I hope you guys are ready for the start of school next week.”
They nodded in unison.
“Good deal. Now, since I’ll be gone all weekend,” Mrs. Williams said, “I’ve made arrangements for you to stay with friends. Becka, I talked to Julie’s mom, and she said it’s fine for you to stay over tomorrow night too since you’ll already be there tonight for Julie’s party.”
“Actually, Mom, I wasn’t totally sure I was going — ”
“Then this makes your decision easier,” Mrs. Williams said with a wink. She turned to Scott. “Darryl’s mom gave her okay for you to stay there. So if that sounds good with both of you, it’s all set.”
Becka groaned. “Mom, I’m seventeen. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Ditto for me,” Scott said. “In case you forgot, I’m fifteen. What could go wrong? Can’t we just stay here? I’ll even be in charge of meals. I’ll just order pizza — ”
Mrs. Williams shook her head. “Out of the question. I don’t want to be worrying about you guys home alone without a car while I’m out of town. Besides,” she said, looking at Becka, “it’s only for one extra night. I’m sure you and Julie will find something fun to do after the others leave, right?”
Becka’s face flushed. “Yeah, but still . . . maybe I don’t want to go.”
“Maybe you don’t have a choice this time,” her mom said.
Becka looked away. Three seconds later, she felt her mother squeezing her forearm. “She
is
your best friend, Becka. Is there something going on between you two?”
Becka shifted in her chair, avoiding the question. “Couldn’t I stay with Susan?” she asked. Susan Murdock always made Becka feel welcome.
“Actually, she was my first choice,” Mrs. Williams said. “But she’s going to the retreat too. I just need you to make it work with Julie, okay?”
She studied her mother’s face. For the first time in months Becka saw a sparkle in her eyes. And she couldn’t miss the touch of hopefulness in her voice. Becka knew her mom had been struggling with her self-confidence, especially since she had difficulty finding a job. Becka figured this conference might be a turning point and didn’t want to say anything that might put a damper on things.
“We’re cool,” Becka said, knowing full well that there were a few major issues she and Julie would have to work out.
“Good,” Mrs. Williams said. “Now, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“Me?” Scott said between guzzles.
“Actually, no,” Mrs. Williams said. She pulled something from her purse and then handed it to Becka.
“A cell phone?” Becka’s eyes widened. “Wow.”
Her mom nodded. “Yup. I figured it was about time you left the Stone Age and joined the human race.”
“H-e-l-l-oooo,” Scott said. “That’s
so
not fair. What am I, chopped liver over here?”
Becka powered up the phone. “Relax, Scott. Since when were you appointed the Fairness Police?”
“It’s just that — ,” Scott began, but was cut off by his mom.
“Maybe there’s something in here for you, Scott,” she said. She opened a cabinet door behind her, withdrew an oversized padded package, and handed it to Scott. “It’s from Z.”
Becka put the cell phone down. She watched with interest as Scott tore into the package from Z, their Internet friend whom they’d never met in person or been able to find out anything about. Sure, they tried to discover his true identity, but Z always managed to stay three steps ahead of them. Not to mention that Z kept coming up with important missions for them to undertake — like last week’s trip to New Mexico, which they took with their mother.
There were two things they knew for sure about Z: he was a definite expert when it came to the supernatural. And he knew the Bible inside and
out.
“I completely forgot about this,” Scott said. The package had arrived several days ago, right after Becka, Scott, and their mother had returned from New Mexico. There, they had a supernatural battle with an Indian shaman named Dark Bear, who had the ability to call down lightning whenever he wanted to torch something — or someone. In their case,
they
had been the target of Dark Bear’s fireworks.
Becka shuddered as she remembered the showdown. It had been a case of all-out spiritual warfare battling Dark Bear’s black magic, which had held an entire Indian tribe hostage for years. But through their faith in Jesus, their courage, and tons of prayer — along with the help of a new friend, Swift Arrow — they overcame the power of Dark Bear.
“Whatcha got?” Becka said, leaning forward.
Scott pulled out a set of earplugs from what looked like a plastic bag with Becka’s name printed on it. A note card was stapled to the bag. “Looks like these are for you,” he said. He handed Becka the items.
“Earplugs?” Becka’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s Z up to?”
“Read the note, pea brain,” Scott said.
“Scott — ,” his mother started to say with that tone of voice that parents use when they’re about to ground you for life.
He offered a cheesy smile. “Sorry.”
Becka opened the card and read: “ ‘For Becka. Be careful, little ears, what you hear.’ ” She looked at Scott and then her mom. “Okay, so call me clueless.”
Scott noticed another envelope with Becka’s name on it in the package. “Hey, maybe this will help.”
She opened the envelope and withdrew a picture. “I don’t even know who this is . . . do you?”
“No, but she’s cute,” Scott said, peering over her shoulder. “Maybe she snores, huh?”
Becka ignored the comment as she continued to study the photo. “Actually, there’s something familiar about her, but I can’t seem to place her face.” The girl in the photo was about seventeen or eighteen — at least that was Becka’s guess. She stood on a mountain, with an expansive valley in the background. She wore a backpack and hiking clothes. Her safari hat covered the top of her long, dark blonde hair. A gentle smile lit her simple but attractive face.
Scott looked at the image more closely too. “Yeah, I know what you mean. She does look like someone I’ve met or seen before. I just can’t say for sure.”
Becka turned the photograph over. “And look. On the back it says, ‘Iron sharpens iron. Stay sharp . . . and keep a sharp eye on this misguided spirit.’ ” Becka glanced up at Scott and then back at the photo. “What does Z mean by that?”
Scott shrugged. “I can’t figure out how he knows half the stuff he knows. Hey, check this out. I got three free Domino’s Pizza coupons. Now you’re talking my language, Z.”
“That’s it?” Becka asked. “I get earplugs . . . and you get pizza?”
“Now who’s acting like the Fairness Police?” Scott said, elbowing his sister in the ribs.
“Hold on,” Mrs. Williams said. “Isn’t that a note on the back of one of your coupons?”
Scott f lipped it over. “Um, it says ‘Remember to pray for Becka. Z.’ ” He looked up. “Too bad. Nothing in there about sharing my pizza with you, sis.”
Becka’s eyes met Scott’s. Since moving to Crescent Bay, both Becka and Scott had learned to expect the unexpected, especially when it came to spiritual warfare. And when it came to Z, there was always some deeper significance to the things he sent their way. Only this time, neither could make out where Z was headed.
Mrs. Williams stood to leave. “I’m sure this will all make sense in due time. It always does, doesn’t it?”
Becka nodded, but for some reason she felt a growing uneasiness about spending the weekend with Julie. It was the same sensation she seemed to get in her stomach whenever she was about to face some form of spiritual counterfeit.
“So, Mom,” Becka said, clearing her throat, “how can I get in touch with you . . . you know, like if I needed you for something?”
Mrs. Williams raised an eyebrow. “Actually, I got a free cell phone too, my dear. You know me. I couldn’t pass up one of those family plan deals where we share the minutes.”
“Very cool, Mom,” Scott said, nodding in approval.
“Now, I’m not too sure there will be coverage way out at the cabin,” Mom said, “but if not, I’m sure there must be a pay phone somewhere on the campground. Why don’t I call you on your cell? I’ll just plan to catch up with you sometime during one of the session breaks.”
“Becka, you can always program Darryl’s home number into your cell phone too,” Scott offered. “Of course, we may be too busy eating a double-cheese and ’roni pizza to answer.”
“Thanks for nothing, bro.”
“You can count on me.” Scott tucked the coupons in the front pocket of his jeans.
Mrs. Williams called from the living room, “I’ll drop you guys off on my way out. Let’s leave in an hour, okay?”
“No prob,” Scott said. He jumped out of his chair and headed to his room.
After her mom and brother left the room, Becka stared at the phone for a minute. Not only was she being forced to go to Julie’s party, where she’d have to face Laura Henderson, but now she was spending her entire last weekend before the start of her senior year at Julie’s. If anything, she’d like to get some time with her boyfriend, Ryan Riordan.
Becka picked up the phone and dialed Julie’s number. What choice did she have? Julie answered on the second ring.
“It’s me,” Becka said.
“Hey,” Julie said. “You coming?”
“Yeah, looks like I’ll be spending the weekend too.”
“Great,” Julie said. “My mom said you might be, but I figured after our last conversation you might make other plans so you could avoid Laura.”
“I still don’t get it — why Laura?” Becka said, trying not to sound too frustrated. “I mean, I didn’t know you guys were friends.”
Julie laughed. “We’re not. We just have a class together and have gotten to talk a couple of times. She’s really not a bad person. Like I said, her dad is a lawyer and knows Sarina Fox’s agent. When Laura offered me the chance to meet Sarina and learn about her TV show at the book signing, I figured the least I could do was to invite her. Come on, Beck, how many famous people ever show up in Crescent Bay?”
Becka took a deep breath. She knew she might as well try to smooth things over with Julie. “Listen, Julie. I want you to know I don’t feel comfortable with Laura there, but I understand why you feel you should be nice to her. So don’t worry, we’ll work it out.”
“Thanks for understanding. I know we’ll have a blast,” Julie said. “And guess what? There’s two other girls coming.”
“Wow. Who?” Becka said.
“Well, of course there’s Krissi,” Julie said, then added, “and my cousin Rachael — she’s visiting from out of town.”
“She’s the one from Sacramento?”
“Seattle,” Julie said. “She’s totally into
The Hex
and is dying to meet Sarina.”
Becka had heard about
The Hex
. Who hadn’t? It was only the hottest TV show in the country. She didn’t
know much about the show, having never watched it herself. But somehow, if the name
The Hex
was any indication, Becka was pretty sure it wasn’t the kind of show she’d want to see, and she was a little concerned that Julie sounded so excited about it. Then again, it was Julie’s party and even Z said Becka should watch out for her. Maybe this was what he was talking about.
“It’s gonna be so cool,” Julie said. “Sarina Fox . . . in person . . . signing copies of her new book. WOW!”
“Uh-huh,” Becka said, her palms starting to sweat.
“Laura is also gonna get us hooked up with Sarina for dessert or whatever afterwards. Fun, huh?”
Becka didn’t say anything. Her mouth was too dry to speak, even if she could have thought of something to say. She switched the phone to her other ear.
When Becka didn’t answer, Julie said, “Don’t worry, Becka. Like I said, Laura’s just going to the bookstore and dessert with us. That’s all. I’m sure it won’t be that bad for a few hours.”
Becka cleared the tightness from her throat. “I . . . I’m sure we’ll . . . be fine,” she said. The truth was, she’d never forget the time Laura and several others from The Society attacked and almost killed her. True, Laura had just been acting on orders from Brooke, but it was a close call. “Hey, I better go. My mom’s taking me to your place in an hour or so, and I’ve still got to grab my things.”
Becka hung up and didn’t move for a long minute. In the silence that followed, she remembered what bothered her about
The Hex
. Several days ago, she and Ryan had been riding to the airport in Ryan’s Mustang. “Spellbound,” the theme song from
The Hex,
filled the speakers. Although Becka couldn’t recall the lyrics, the DJ made a comment that the song, like the TV show, was heavy into Wicca.
She didn’t know much about Wicca.
She just knew Wicca had something to do with witchcraft.
And in a few hours she’d be face-to-face with what’s-her-name from
The Hex
.
L
aura walked to her father’s study. Rather than march right in, she lingered by the French doors that led to the wood-paneled room. A grandfather clock in the corner ticked away the silence. Her mom had left for the beauty parlor several minutes prior, and her dad, a divorce attorney, was probably on the golf course. At least, that was Laura’s guess. After all, it was Friday afternoon. As far back as she could recall, he always claimed he needed a round of golf to settle his nerves after a week of busting up people’s marriages.