When Lights Collide Chapter 14

Estelle set the plates on the table at the same time Cara set down the mugs, pulling Daniel out of his thoughts and back into this new reality that was surrounding him.

He looked to each of the women, “Thank you”

As Daniel looked down to see what was actually on his plate, he was pleasantly surprised, 

“Grilled Cheese, with ketchup, I haven’t had this since….” his voice trailed off as he recalled the last time he’d had lunch with his Grams, and then realized that this was the first time he’d had grilled cheese since then.

Tears came to his eyes as he relived the memory of that last day with his Grams, “I’m sorry Grams” he thought to himself “if I had known that would be our last day together, I would have stayed with you longer.” He also recalled how, on that day, he’d made some half assed excuse for  having to leave early, “Club business” he’d muttered as he kissed her cheek and ran out the door.

Daniel rubbed his face with both hands before he looked around the table, “Sorry ladies, just a little distracted tonight.” he mumbled before taking a sip of his coffee, while waiting for his eyes to let go of the tears.

Cara opened her mouth to speak, but something, some instinct told her to wait.

Estelle placed her hand on Daniel’s arm “you're noticing that your Grams has been with you a lot tonight, have you been aware of her being with you before tonight?”

Daniel shook his head as he swallowed his mouthful, “no, not really, I had moments where I thought maybe she was, but tonight, she’s been loud and clear, like I could almost close my eyes and see her next to me, I've never felt like this before.”

He looked over at Cara, “is this happening because I was in your house? Is your house haunted or some shit?”

In his mind’s eye, Daniel could feel his Grams giving him ‘the look’ the one he got every time he cussed in front of her.  He glanced up and sighed, “I apologize, I meant to say crap.”

Cara laughed out loud, surprising everyone at the table, “No, you didn’t, you meant what you said!” through her laughter she managed to get the words out.

For a split second, Estelle and Daniel just stared at her like she’d finally lost her mind, but Cara just sat there laughing, and soon, all three of them were laughing hysterically over, well, nothing.

Eventually they settled down and relaxed into enjoying their food, there was no more talk of the mysterious events of the evening, just three people enjoying each other’s company and good eats.

When they were done, they each poured a fresh cup of coffee and cleaned up their dishes.

Just as the last dish was set in the rack, they all froze as they heard a noise toward the back of the house.

Daniel was about to speak, then Estelle gave him a sharp look and shook her head, as she mind-spoke to him “hush child, say nothing.”

Daniel, hearing her clearly, nodded his head to show he understood.  Then, all three of them turned their attention to the direction the noise had originated from.

Daniel reached out to pick up the frying pan from the dish rack as he decided he would go check out the source of the noise.

Cara placed her hand over his, stopping him before he could reach his weapon of choice, and when he looked at her confused as to her action, he froze.

Daniel was surprised to see Cara looking as she did, not that she looked odd or anything, he actually thought she was a good looking woman, but now, now she fairly glowed, like a million sparkles were glowing from within her skin.

He just stood staring at her, her hand still on his, until suddenly she jerked her hand away, snapping him back into the moment.  Now he was instantly aware that she was trying to talk to him, he listened in his mind, but could not hear her, then he tuned into her physical nature and realized she wasn't trying to talk to him, but to signal him on their next move.

Estelle was next to share an idea with the both of them as she mind-spoke “you two go check out the noise, I’ll stay here and act normal”

Daniel snickered, “we have a normal?” he asked out loud, and instantly regretted it as both women gave him a ‘hush’ look.

He nodded his understanding as Estelle stepped toward the sink and said “Ok you two, sit and enjoy your coffee, I’ll finish up these dishes.”

Both Cara and Daniel tried to sound ‘normal’ as they pretend~offered to help Estelle while readying themselves to head down the corridor toward the noise.

Cara was determined to protect Estelle at all costs, she owed her everything to Estelle, and no one was going to hurt her, not while Cara had breath in her lungs. 

She tried to head down the hall first, but Daniel grabbed her arm and gave her a look.  Then his mind said “no, you stay behind me, whatever happens, you need to be able to get back to Estelle if this goes bad.”

Cara wasn’t sure if Daniel noticed what he had just done in using his mind-speak, but now wasn’t the time to ask, so she sharply nodded her head and let him go first.

The corridor was short, with only 4 doors. Two that led to bathrooms, one on each side, and two that led to bedrooms, also one on each side.

They stood listening, hoping another noise might guide them on where to go, but, aside from Estelle in the kitchen, the house was silent.

Too silent.

Daniel could feel something watching him from the shadows, he couldn't explain it, but he could feel eyes on him, watching his every move.

Cara placed her hand on his shoulder and Daniel nearly jumped out of his skin, then immediately relaxed as he could feel Cara’s warmth and caring flow over his body. 

He wasn't certain what was happening, but suddenly, he could see into the shadows, like somehow his eyes had flipped a night vision switch.

And he didn’t like what he saw, instantly, he began to step back toward Cara, Daniel knew that she must be seeing what he saw, because he didn't even have to signal her, and she was moving back in unison with him.

As they returned to the top of the short corridor, Cara looked to where Estelle had been standing, 

She was gone.

Cara began to look around the room as panic began to set in when finally, Estelle made herself visible.  She was standing by the back patio door, holding their jackets, ready to leave.

Estelle mind-spoke to them both “we have to leave, now!”

Like twins of one mind, they both nodded ‘yes’ even though Daniel was still standing back to them, still facing down the hallway.

He continued taking steps backward, somehow knowing that Cara was guiding him safely.  

He froze in his tracks as the shadow slithered onto the floor at the far end of the hallway and began to slowly make its way toward Daniel.

Daniel was aware that he needed to get out, now, but he found himself unable to move as he heard the voice of Other in his mind “Come now Daniel, we can be friends can't we? Surely the light of these two witches is far too bright and blinding for you? Come over here into the shadows, it's easier on the eyes and we can do much from these shadows…”  

He wasn’t certain what was happening, but Daniel felt like he was being taunted somehow, like one of his buddies was trying to convince him into a ‘hold my beer’ moment.

The next voice heard was Estelle’s as she screamed from across the kitchen, “RUN!!  NOW, RUN!!”

Cara, still with her hand on Daniel’s shoulder now grabbed him and yanked him backward toward her, pulling him out of the seductive words that ran through his mind.

As he finally regained control of his body and his feet, he turned toward the sound of Estelle’s voice and began to run, only to find Cara standing way too close. Daniel, afraid he would knock her over,  picked her up and carried her toward the back door to where Estelle stood.  

He set Cara down gently, and led the way for the women as they all exited the house.

Estelle, the last one out, stopped, turned around and stood with her hands up and palms facing the glass doors.

Daniel was mesmerized by what he saw, and as Cara realized they'd all stopped, she also assumed the same stance as Estelle and raised her hands, palms out facing the doors.

As Daniel watched, unsure as to what they were doing, he thought he could see a sort of smoky light leaving their hands and weaving itself around the doors and windows on the backside of the house.

At first, he just stood staring, in awe of what he was witnessing when he became aware of his Grams yelling at him in his head, “don't just stand there sugar, help them! Lift up your hands, help them.”

Daniel was dumbfounded, “What do you mean, help them, I can't do that… that - whatever they're doing…”

Grams spoke again, and this time, there was no mistaking that she meant business.. 

“Young man, you raise your hands like they are, and you think of the happiest moment that we had together.”

Daniel stood for a moment, looking from Estelle then to Cara and back to Estelle again, they seemed to be oblivious to the fact that he was even there, so, he shrugged his shoulders and decided since they weren't looking, he wouldn't be seen trying to help them, especially if he couldn't do it…

Daniel took a deep breath and exhaled, then observed how Cara and Estelle were standing, then did the same.

Feet, shoulder width apart. Check.

Arms raised, but slightly bent at the elbows. Check.

Hands up, palms facing the house.  Check.

Think of the happiest moment with his Grams.. 

It took Daniel a moment to find one, there had been many, but he was searching for a special one, and finally, he found it.

It was their first Christmas together as a family.  

Daniel’s Mom had passed away the year before, leaving Daniel an orphan in foster care until his Grams had found him and brought him home.  

Daniel was four that year, and he’d felt like he’d won the lottery.  He had a new family and knew he would be safe, and there were so many packages under the beautifully decorated Christmas tree…. “Keep thinking about it sugar, you’re almost done, you're doing it.”

Daniel was still lost in the memories when the words 'you're doing it’ finally registered in his mind.

His eyes snapped open as he looked to see exactly what it was that he was doing.

Estelle and Cara were both stopped, arms and hands still raised, both staring at him.  

Then he noticed his hands.  And if he thought what he saw Estelle and Cara’s hands doing was crazy, then, seeing what his hands were doing, he thought he must be insane…

Daniel saw the same light that he thought that he saw coming from their hands, only it was coming from his own.

He stood looking in amazement as a blue/white smoky light flowed from his hands and toward the house.

Around the windows and doors, his light went, like it knew what it was doing even though Daniel had no clue what it was doing.

As he stared at his hands in amazement, the light started to fade away, Estelle began talking to him.

“Close your eyes Daniel, whatever thoughts you were thinking before, think them again! We are wrapping the house in a blessing, trying to keep that shadow thing locked in!”

Daniel closed his eyes, and tried to get back the thoughts of his happiest Christmas ever, when he felt a slithering run up his spine.

“Wait!” he yelled a little too late, as Cara yelled to Estelle, “we have to help him!”

Estelle spun around just in time to see what Cara was yelling about, the shadow thing from inside the house had somehow gotten out, and was now slowly crawling its way up the back of  Daniel’s pant legs. 

She looked to Cara and together they re-focused their energy toward the back of Daniel, just above the top of his pants, and down the back of his legs, hoping their light would chase away the shadow thing that seemed determined to envelope Daniel.

“Daniel, come toward me!” Estelle demanded of him, and while normally Daniel did not respond happily to demands, he didn't feel like this was the time to argue.

He lifted his foot in an attempt to step forward, but found himself stuck, his legs were no longer his own and as he tried to force himself to move, he felt himself tipping forward.

Trying not to panic, he looked at Estelle, “I kinda can’t.?” he tried to hold humor, because at this moment, he kinda felt like the world was about to swallow him up.

To keep reading, CLICK HERE for chapter 15!