Chapter twenty-four

As soon as I got outside, I called Norman on my phone. Unfortunately, it went to voicemail. As soon as the beep happened, I said, "Norman, listen, I don't know if you heard anything, but Jessica is dead. Listen, though, I need you to find anything you can about her as well as any research on a photo I'm going to send to you. I'm heading to see Mr. Newman to see if I can get some answers. Please call me back when you know something." As soon as I ended the call, I sent him the picture in a text message and then got inside my Jeep.

As soon I was behind the wheel, the passenger door opened, and in came Angela, who seemed different. She was in a short black dress and black heels and her eyes were an unusual bright green. Her emotions seemed off like there was darkness oozing out of her.

"Uh, Angela, what are you doing in my vehicle?"

Angela looked at me with such wide eyes I could have sworn they would pop out of her head. "Oh. Well, I'm hiding."

"Hiding from who? My cousin?"

"Yes!"

"Why aren't you with Hayden?" I asked her.

She smiled coyly and moved so she was leaning over, showing off her cleavage. I had the urge to gag but controlled it.

"What are you doing?"

Her confusion filtered around me. "Why is not working on you?"

"Why is what not working on me?" I asked. I could guess that she was using some kind of magic or force on me. It was like a buzz of energy zapping across my skin like she was trying to get me to do something. But judging by her surprised expression and emotions, whatever it was, wasn't working.

"That's impossible," she said. "I never met someone who wasn't affected..." Realization filtered through her emotions. "Oh. Of course. You aren't attracted to me, are you?"

Without fear, I shook my head. "I'm sorry. You are a beautiful woman, I admit, but I feel nothing for you."

She sighed and leaned back. "You're gay. No wonder it wouldn't work on you. Oh, and that is such a shame because not only are you handsome, but you also have the most delicious energy I have ever felt and the strongest life force I have ever encountered."

"Look, Angela, you aren't making any sense and to be frank, I am uncomfortable right now."

She huffed and then tied her hair back. Before I could ask her to leave, she looked at me and placed her hand over mine.

I flinched. It was cold to the touch and a dark cloud felt like it was tightly clenching pressure on my chest.

Before I could snatch my hand away, she gripped it tightly and I could feel that buzzing sensation in my arm right before my vision went white.

It was then I was hearing screams of pain. I not only heard it, but I felt it. It was like someone being tortured by something.

I found the strength to jerk my hand away.

"Are you okay?" she asked. "You seem shaken and you're pale."

"I'm fine." I wasn't. My strength was depleting and my head felt like it had a ton of pressure in it and was pounding, but I willed myself not to pass out. "Look, I don't see my cousin. Not to be rude, but could you please get out of my car?"

Angela's eyes narrowed. "Whatever." She then yanked the door open. "I can't believe I wasted my time."

I watched hazily in the side mirror until she was no longer visible before I leaned over and quickly opened the glove box. There was no chocolate. Of course not. After slamming the door shut, I leaned back in my seat, holding my hand to my throbbing chest as I closed my eyes, hoping to relieve the dizziness.

A knock on my window happened.

Startled and dizzy, I turned my head to see my cousin.

I hurriedly rolled down my window and it was then I noticed a chocolate bar in his hand. "What are you doing here?"

"Not sure. I got a text saying that I needed to bring you this." He handed me the candy bar.

As quick as my trembling hands could, I opened it and bit into the crunchy bar. At the first bite, I felt my energy start to come back slowly. "Thanks."

"These mysterious texts sure seem to always be saving you. Must be a guardian angel."

I shook my head. "I don't think so. I doubt angels would save me considering..."

"Considering what? That you are gay?"

I shrugged. "I mean, you know what religions say. What if they are right?"

"I doubt they are. You know I don't believe in that sort of thing. Besides, who you are as a person matters more." He then smiled. "Now, do you mind if we get off this topic and get on the topic of why I was ordered to bring you a chocolate bar?"

"I..." I couldn't tell my cousin the truth. That didn't need to worry about me. And yet, those texts he was receiving did always manage to help me. Who was it? My grandmother?

"You what?"

"I kind of forgot to eat. I was on my way before I stopped when I saw police cars and an ambulance. Jennifer passed away."

Carter nodded. "I know. It was on the radio and already rumors have spread. It must have been a shock for you."

I nodded. "It was. I guess seeing it and not eating caused me to feel a bit faint." I had to lie. And I made sure not to bring up Angela. That experience was too awkward.

"I imagine your empathy also caused some of that."

"It did."

______________________________________

After making sure my cousin left, I headed for the museum. I didn't know why exactly I was going there. I supposed it was a feeling, a hunch.

Either way, I made my way inside. It was still afternoon. The museum tended to close at six. Fortunately, not many people were inside. By not many, I mean like one to three people, who were looking at planes.

I found Mr. Newman with a clipboard in his hand. He must be going over his inventory. I nearly did ruin a few exhibits with accidental magic. I didn't want a repeat.

Taking a break, I headed over toward him. "Uh..."

His grey eyes shot up. "Ah, Weston. A pleasure to see you here."

"I... The same goes for you, sir. We... I mean, I didn't get the chance to be here fully with you and Norman. I was hoping you could catch me up on what I missed."

"You didn't miss much. We were discussing theories. Mr. Forrester sure has some rather interesting ideas. Though, none of which I agree with."

"I know the feeling well. When I first met him, he was going on about aliens." I chuckled nervously.

Mr. Newman, to my surprise, had a small grin. "He's got the making of a conspiracy theorist."

I nodded, but I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. "I also wanted to apologize for what happened." I reached into my wallet. "I know it's not enough, but if the water damaged anything..."

Mr. Newman put down his clipboard and then grabbed my arm and pulled me into his office. He looked out before shutting the door. "Look, Weston, you do not have to worry about that. I do not apologize for my behavior. I have to come off as strict in this place. Eyes are everywhere in this place. And your name is around the town a bit more. People might not know completely about your magic, but I have kept an eye on you and noticed your accidental magical mishap and how people tended to avoid you. I had known that your magic was the cause and knew you didn't mean it."

I listened to him with wide eyes. "You knew?"

He gave a short nod. "That I did. But I can't show favoritism or any kind of kindness in public with you. I hope you understand that."

"Not fully, sir, but I'll try."

"Good. Now, why did you come here really?"

"Jessica, the receptionist, is dead. Melinda, my boss at the magic shop, gave me this idea. But now, with Jessica, it seems like it was just a coincidence."

"Jessica Curtis is dead? I had heard someone passed. News travels fast in this small town." He rubbed his chin. "Tell me about this theory?"

"Well, Melinda mentioned a succubus, and I was wondering since you know Maxwell if he or you know if they were real in Everglade."

"I'm not an expert, but I do not think that Everglade had any such creatures among them. I believe those only exist in our world as those are contributed to demons. Then again, I haven't truly explored Everglade. Perhaps Maxwell can provide you with more information."

"Understood, Mr. Newman."

"When we are alone, you may address me as Joseph Chaplin?"

"You are Joseph Chaplin? Maxwell mentioned the name. I thought he might be talking about someone else."

"I have many secrets. I had to change my identity to help better learn the truth about what happened to my darling wife. But that is for another day." His eyes then narrowed. "I wish you didn't have to be involved in all of this. But it was only a matter of time. I will do my best to keep your activities hidden. But do be careful on your own. Your magic already makes you a huge target."

"I'll be careful. Do you think I could talk to Maxwell now?"

Mr. Newman, or rather, Joseph, shook his head. "Sadly, he is resting. He's had an extremely busy day. That boy is like a son to me." I feel his love and adoration from him. He deeply cared for Maxwell.

"He's lucky to have you."

"Thanks, Weston. Now, you better get going. I imagine you have lots to do." He opened the door. "I appreciate your donation for helping fix the damages you caused, but don't think this will be enough."

I stepped out with a bowed head. "Understood, sir." I knew he was putting on an act. I had to play along.

"Good. Off you go. And no more pranks."

I nodded and left the museum. As soon as I was outside, the cool evening air hit me. I sucked in a deep breath.

Just then a hand brushed against mine. Before I could react, a white bright light invaded my sight. But I could hear a female voice saying that it was time.

Time for what? I wondered as I came back to myself and flinched away. I looked up to see a woman with blonde hair dressed in casual clothing.

Wait. This was the woman from the night Norman passed out. She was giving off that strange dark feeling again.

The woman smiled. "Hello. We meet again. Must be fate. I heard what happened there and came to check on you. You had quite the scolding."

"I'm fine. I deserved it."

"You don't seem at all like a troublemaker. But I guess appearances can deceive you."

"Yes, well, I'm... I'm sorry. I have to get home. My grandmother is expecting me."

"You wouldn't happen to be the grandson to Ruth Hawthorn?"

I looked at her confused. "Why do you want to know?"

She looked taken back before she brought her hand to her mouth and giggled. "My, you are exactly like your grandmother. Although, I guess I am being rude. I’m Kayla. I wanted to bring a dessert for your grandmother as a thank you gift. I sadly cannot visit her. But... Could you give it to her?"

"I suppose I can." The second she went to place the dessert in my hand, a flash of black zoomed in front of me and a claw scratched me causing me to drop the dessert.

Kayla shrieked. "Ah! Bad kitty!"

I looked down to see Mel. Her bright green eyes were narrowed in anger. I leaned down and scooped her up. "I'm sorry, Kayla. This is my cat. She is usually friendly. But she can be protective."

Kayla sighed in anger. "Well, maybe you should keep her on a leash. My dessert for your grandmother is now ruined thanks to your cat. I will have to make a new batch."

"I apologize."

"Damn right you do." Her fists clenched before she huffed off.

I looked at Mel. "Why on earth did you do that for?"

Mel jumped from my arms. "Me? What about you? Picking me up like that? I wanted to claw you."

"You were making a scene."

Mel hissed. "I was making a scene. For an empath, you sure are stupid. Didn't you feel the darkness that woman was putting off?"

I glared at her. "I did. But I was still trying to be polite."

Mel sat and wagged her tail back and forth. "Hm. If you say so."

I rolled my eyes and then knelt. The dessert that fell was a muffin. "A muffin?" I asked, reaching out to touch it.

"Weston, don't touch it!" Mel yelled.

A little too late. My fingers touched the gooey substance and I was immediately overcome with a sense of darkness like no other. It was like I was trapped inside it with it swirling around me like a twister. Before too long darkness invaded my vision and I think I hit the ground.