Stains on the Soul Read online

  Shannon nodded. “He’s too stubborn for that. Besides, he’s kind of cute.”

  Fiona turned around and watched as Jeremy and the guy he’d been talking to approached them. The closer they came, the more she could see. Shannon’s right… The guy was tall, with dark hair, and he walked with a grace she’d never seen out of a guy before. Confidence radiated from him, which Fiona couldn’t help but appreciate.

  “Fiona, this is my cousin Ted.”

  “Hi.” He reached out to shake her hand, a smile on his face.

  She’d never met this guy before; she was sure of it. Still, there was something familiar about him. As they shook hands, the sinking feeling in her stomach became a free-fall. “Hi,” she managed to say through the panic building inside.

  “Sorry if I’m holding you up right now, but I just had to meet you.”

  “It’s okay,” she assured him. She gestured to her friends. “They don’t mind.” Her cheeks flushed as she heard Shannon trying to suppress a giggle.

  He smiled. “Good. Would you have a minute to talk then?”

  “You bet!”

  Fiona stood there in silent shock, unable to believe the words had come from Amy’s lips. She is going to pay for that later. She forced herself to focus on Ted, allowing a smile to touch the corners of her lips. “That’s a nice offer, but we really should get going.”

  “That’s too bad…” He looked over at Jeremy a minute, raising an eyebrow at him before turning his attention back to Fiona. “Maybe some other time then.”

  “Right… I’ll let you know.”

  Jeremy and Ted turned and walked away, leaving the girls alone. Fiona whirled around and hissed at Amy. “Thanks for answering for me.”

  “Sorry…” Amy shrugged. “It just came out. Seriously, though? I think he’s cute. Plus, it’s not like he asked you out or anything—he just wanted to talk. Even if he had, it’s not like you haven’t gone out with other guys before.”

  “Yeah, but not since prom.” She didn’t bother mentioning no one had asked. She figured people were too focused on their futures, far away from their small town, to bother.

  “So, have you guys talked about that at all?” Shannon put her hands on her hips and waited for an answer.

  “No,” Fiona admitted. It just sort of started happening…

  “So, there’s no problem,” Amy reasoned. “Or are you changing your mind?”

  “I really don’t know.” Fiona turned and headed for the door. Before the girls entered the house, she looked over her shoulder to sneak another glimpse at Ted.

  Chapter Five

  “There was another one today, Maria. You need to be more cautious.”

  Maria started at the sound of her husband’s voice. She’d barely walked in the door when he’d spoken, and she regarded him with a curious expression before closing it and setting down the small bag she carried. “Another what?” She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the change in lighting.

  “Rosina was accused this morning—word is she poisoned someone. If you keep administering those cures, they’re going to come for you too. I don’t know if there is anything I can do to help you.” He stepped in front of her, forcing her to look him in the eye.

  “They did?” Her expression morphed from curiosity to horror as she pictured her friend being executed once they’d gotten a confession out of her. Maria straightened her back and hardened her tone. “There is no need to worry; I am careful.”

  He shook his head and sighed. “That may not be enough. More and more people are being accused by the day. How long do you think it will take until someone talks? Even if they know nothing, they would accuse anyone of anything to try and save themselves.”

  The witch hunts had been going on for a couple of years now in their small village, and they scared her. Already, she’d lost a couple of friends to the accusations. She hesitated a moment but refused to back down. She wasn’t going to allow people to dictate to her. What did they know about what she did anyway? She’d helped so many people, and she was sure none of them would ever breathe a word of the cures she gave them. Not if they wanted to keep getting more. “I promise there is no need for concern.”

  “How do you know?” He threw his hands up in frustration and reached for her, his grip tight on her shoulders. “Think about it; these are dangerous times. Are you really willing to bet your life on that? I want you to stop.”

  She gasped and looked at him in horror as she pulled away. “You can’t be serious? I could never… What I’m doing isn’t a choice for me. It’s a calling, and who am I to ignore what I’m being led to do? Ignoring the path laid out for me would be wrong.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  His expression told her he didn’t quite believe that, but she didn’t care. He’d see.

  * * *

  Fiona groaned as a shrill sound filled the air. She blinked a couple of times, slowly coming out of the dream. The alarm clock. She reached over and smacked the top a few times before managing to silence it.

  She sat up and yawned, the images of her dreams fading faster with each moment of consciousness. Fiona opened the nightstand and pulled out her notebook, then scribbled in it as if her life depended on it. Maybe it does…

  Where had that come from? She didn’t know, but she couldn’t deny the truth in those words. Her whole body was tingling with the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She closed her eyes a moment, struggling to remember as many details as possible. For the most part, only vague images and impressions had stuck with her.

  The worst part was the tension between the two. This man, whatever-his-name-was, had been desperate to get the woman to listen to what he said. She doubted it worked—the woman seemed far too stubborn for that. Before Fiona could finish writing, the door opened. She looked up to see her sister standing in the doorway, arms crossed and foot tapping.

  “What on earth are you doing? You’re going to make us both late!”

  Fiona glanced over at the clock she’d cursed earlier, and her eyes widened as she noted how much time had passed. “Sorry! I guess I got distracted. I’ll be down in a couple of minutes.”

  “If you say so…”

  Rebecca rolled her eyes as she walked in the room and grabbed her bag. Fiona rolled her eyes right back at her as she watched Rebecca shake her head and walk out the door.

  What is wrong with me? She hopped out of bed, rushed to the closet, and then pulled out the first items of clothing she touched. She didn’t bother to look as she dressed and stuffed her feet into a pair of sneakers. With her bag slung over her shoulder, Fiona opened the door. On the way downstairs, she pulled her long brown hair up into a messy bun. She’d look like a wreck today, but she couldn’t worry about it now. There wasn’t time for that.

  Fiona ran into the kitchen and picked up her travel mug, filling it with coffee. That done, she opened the fridge and selected a banana before noticing she had company. “Morning!” she acknowledged her mother sitting at the table, a plate in front of her. “Becca, you ready to go?”

  “Yeah, I’m ready. Bye!” Rebecca gave her mom a hug before hurrying out the door.

  “See you later, Mom.” Fiona hurried over to the table and did the same before turning to catch up with her sister. She didn’t give her mother a chance to stop her; Fiona knew it would only lead to a longer conversation she didn’t have time for today.

  * * *

  “Are you sure you’re okay? I mean, you are being completely spacey today.”

  Fiona squirmed under her sister’s scrutiny as they made their way down the road. The concern in Rebecca’s eyes made Fiona’s stomach tighten as she used one hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I just had another weird dream last night, no big deal.” Fiona smiled for her sister’s benefit while signaling right. As they turned the corner, she hit a puddle from the early-morning rain storm she’d slept through. The grey-tinged sky only add
ed to her unease over the nightly images. Why won’t they just go away?

  “Another one? That’s happening a lot lately.”

  Fiona shrugged as they passed a group of kids splashing in a puddle. “I guess my muse is in overdrive right now. I seriously need more hours in the day to write all the ideas it keeps giving me.” She forced a laugh as the argument began to play over again in her mind. Her blood boiled as she remembered the man’s demands and Maria’s refusal.

  “You’d tell me if it was something else, right? I swear, I wouldn’t tell Mom and Dad.” As the car pulled to a stop, Rebecca reached over and touched her arm.

  Fiona nodded, making a little cross over her heart with her fingers as she tried to sound reassuring. Cold dread spread through her body as she considered Rebecca ratting her out. How would she even begin to explain what was going through her mind? There really wasn’t an explanation she could think of that didn’t make her sound insane. Who got that worked up and angry over a few nightmares? She was acting as though these were real people. People she knew. “Yes, I promise. Now quit worrying and get out of here before I’m late.” She poked her sister in the arm before switching the radio station. A cheesy pop song filled the vehicle, and Fiona focused her attention on it in an attempt to stifle the anger building inside.

  “All right, all right.” Rebecca held her hands up in surrender and reached for the door handle. “See you later.” She got out of the car and walked up to her friend’s door.

  “Bye!” Fiona waved, waiting until Rebecca’s friend opened the front door of the house. As soon as her sister was safely inside, Fiona pulled away from the curb with a heavy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. It wasn’t really a lie…

  Chapter Six

  Wow. Is it that late already? Fiona glanced up at the clock, wondering for a moment if it was wrong. I guess time flies when you’re swamped. Fiona set a large leather-bound book on a shelf near the front of the store and smiled as she realized it was the last one. She dissembled the empty box and put it away before taking a seat on the small stool behind the cash register.

  Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she’d missed lunch. Just as she was about to ask for a break, her boss poked his head out of the small storage room to the right.

  “Fiona, why don’t you go ahead and cut out early? It’s almost the end of your shift anyway.”

  Fiona struggled to act casual as she stood, not wanting to show how desperate she was to get out of there. “Are you sure? I don’t mind sticking it out.” The rumble of hunger morphed into a twinge of guilt; the guy who’d be relieving her wouldn’t be in for another hour.

  “It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I’ll see you on Monday.”

  She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “All right, then. Thanks.” She walked out of the store, her thoughts consumed with where to get lunch. She walked out to the car and climbed in, pausing when she heard someone call her name. A glance in the direction it came from had her heart skipping a beat.

  “Ted. Hi...” She got out of the vehicle, shutting the door behind her. “What’s up?”

  He shrugged. “Nothing, really. I was just passing by and saw you, so I thought I’d see if you’d changed your mind.”

  Maybe I should’ve insisted on staying… She was about to say no, but the night of the party ran through her mind. Her friends were right; she was free to go out with whoever she wanted. She couldn’t deny he intrigued her, even while making her skin crawl. Despite the voice in her head screaming no, she considered his request. “Well, I was just about to get a late lunch.”

  He smiled and stood a little straighter. “Mind if I join you?”

  Fiona’s pulse pounded as she gave him the once-over as subtly as possible. He is sort of cute...what the hell? “Sure.”

  * * *

  Fiona ended up choosing a Chinese place just outside of town. She doubted anyone she knew would be there, especially at this time of day. The drive there was torture; she spent most of it hoping they wouldn’t pass the wrong person. She spent the other part of the drive trying to fend off her growing anxiety over this stranger in her car. Sure, he was Jeremy’s cousin, but she still couldn’t help worrying. Her concern only got worse when she thought about her dreams, and she couldn’t understand why.

  As they walked inside, the tension eased from Fiona’s body. The tables were filled with customers, the perfect setting for a date with a strange guy. Fiona shivered as she remembered all those “stranger-danger” warnings from when she was a kid. And I have to let him back in my car later…I must’ve lost my mind.

  They sat down, an awkward silence hanging over them while they waited their turn. Once the waiter took their order, Ted spoke. “So, do you come to this place a lot?”

  “Not really.”

  He studied her a moment, his expression darkening some. “Oh.”

  Her cheeks heated as she noticed the tone in his voice. “I’m not trying to hide anything. Well, okay, I sort of am. It’s just not what you might think.”

  “You mean I’m not going to have to worry about some jealous boyfriend coming after me?” He raised an eyebrow at her as he leaned forward.

  Her face heated at his insinuation and the feel of his breath brushing her skin. “I can see whoever I want, I’d just rather he hear about it from me instead of someone else.”

  He nodded. “I understand. So, Jeremy was saying you’re a writer.”

  She nearly choked on her water and had to take a minute to collect herself enough to speak. “Are you kidding me? I didn’t think he bothered paying attention to anything like that, much less bothering to tell people about it.”

  “What can I say? The guy’s full of surprises.”

  She smiled. “Yeah, I guess he is. He’s right, I’m thinking of majoring in literature in the fall.”

  “Where are you going?” He reached for his own glass and took a sip.

  “Lockhart. It’s a few hours from here.”

  He paused, his cup only inches from the table. “What was that?”

  “Lockhart…why?”

  “You’re not going to believe this, but that’s where I’m going to go. That’s why I’m here now.”

  A light-headed feeling overtook Fiona, and she had to grab onto the edge of the table to keep steady in her seat. Gooseflesh rose on her arm as her hand started to shake slightly. She tightened her grip on the wooden surface in an attempt to control the reaction.

  “Fiona? Are you all right?”

  “What? Oh…sorry.” She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. Too many strange thoughts were starting to take root, and she didn’t want to get ahead of herself. “I’m all right, just surprised. When you said you were here for the break, I just assumed you were going back to wherever you came from.”

  “Crazy, isn’t it? What a coincidence.”

  “I don’t really believe in those…” The second the words were out of her mouth, she wished she could take them back. How could she say something like that?

  “You don’t? Why not?”

  Fiona could see she had his full attention now. His eyes bored into her, as if he were trying to read her mind. The thought was both comforting and unnerving. She glanced down at her plate, picking at her General Tso. “I um… I’ve usually found there’s a meaning behind it when stuff like that happens to me. It might not be obvious right away, but I figure it out eventually.”

  “And what does it usually tell you?” He moved closer, sending a chill through her.

  Fiona looked up, not sure if that feeling was a good thing or a bad thing. She shrugged. “It all depends. Sometimes, it’s good. Other times, it’s bad.”

  “How do you tell the difference?” He reached for his fork and took a bite of fried dumpling.

  Why did she open up this line of conversation? She’d sound like the biggest freak, and for some reason, that bothered her. What should it matter what this guy thought? They may be going to the same school, but it was a
big campus. She could avoid him if she wanted to. She decided to go with the truth. “I listen to my gut.”

  He sipped some water to wash his food down. “Really? So you believe in that kind of thing?

  She nodded. “Yes. Does that weird you out?”

  He shook his head and reached over to brush away some hair that had escaped her ponytail. “Not at all.”

  Chapter Seven

  Fiona stood in a modest-looking home, watching a young woman pace while fussing with the afghan around her shoulders. She was tall, with black hair cut in one of those bobs Fiona had seen in silent movies and history class. The woman was dressed as a flapper, and Fiona couldn’t help but focus on the long pearl necklace around the woman’s neck and the black hat that almost covered her ears.

  The woman’s name was Alice Rose—she liked going by both her first and middle name for reasons Fiona didn’t understand. Fiona watched as Alice Rose sat down at the kitchen table and picked up a fountain pen. The young flapper wrote furiously, stopping once in a while to use the blotting paper a few inches away.

  Fiona glanced around, trying to find something that would give her a sense of where the dream was taking place. Her eyes settled on a piece of mail on the coffee table addressed to an Alice Rose Cooper. It listed her address as being in Shaker Heights, Ohio. An older woman Fiona assumed was the flapper’s mother walked into the room and began pulling various ingredients out of the kitchen cabinets. The woman set them on the countertop and began rummaging through the pots and pans on the shelf below.

  Her letter finished, Alice Rose used the blotting paper on it and hastily put it away. Fiona watched her walk into the living room and sit down, picking up a half-finished scarf from a basket. She began knitting, her brow furrowed in concentration. Fiona sensed the girl wanted to get the scarf done quickly—presumably due to the chill in the air. Looking out the window, she noticed the leaves had turned. Fall was here, and winter couldn’t be too far away. She watched a woman outside working on her garden while a man repaired the fence in front. She left Alice Rose to her task, stepping outside and looking up and down the street. The suburb had gardens everywhere, and most people were busy with something—they clearly valued work, and Fiona assumed that had something to do with Alice Rose’s devotion to the task before her. By the time Fiona stepped back inside, the mother had joined Alice Rose in the living room, working on a different project.