Of the Shadows

Chapter 6: Rest?

The police couldn't find the rest of Gran either. I called them as soon as we were safely inside the house. Angie hadn't seen the deer. The police were questioning us about what we had witnessed and I mentioned the deer briefly. Angie swore there was no deer. There seemed to be a lot of confusion among the officers. They weren't sure if a person or an animal mutilated her. They collected her hand in an evidence bag and planned on investigating further.
As I sat in Gran's house and held my grieving friend I wondered what had gotten Gran and if the little people were involved. I could see them now as I stared out the window. They darted in the darkness that blinked between the police lights and scurried on the forrest floor. No one seemed to notice. I assumed they were following me. I didn't understand why they hadn't been in the woods earlier. Surely they were what attacked Gran but maybe not. I felt as though they would have attacked me when I was vulnerable in the foliage but they hadn't. I wondered what game they were playing.
Night fell and Angie's sobs had turned to soft breathing as she lay asleep, head in my lap. The head officer, I forget his name, told us we needed to go somewhere else in case whatever animal or person attacked Gran came back. So we got in my dented car and went to my house. There was no place safer at this point. If this attack was fae related I'd rather Angie be under the protection of my home's wardings.
I drove past the fir trees up the steel ramp and down the rust colored gravel path to my home. Angie was awake now, big hazel eyes fixed on the road in front of her. I couldn't imagine the thoughts whirling through her mind. My heart ached for my friend. When we parked I rubbed her back to break her from her grief induced trance.
"Come on, Love." I beckoned and got out of the car before I opened her door for her. She looked up at me, nose red, eyes tired, and followed me into the house. I replaced the salt after Angie entered the livingroom, met by my moms embrace. My mother held my friend tight and they rocked softly back and forth on their heels. Word gets around fast in a small town. A timer beeped shrill from my mother's cell phone.
"Oh! Thats the honey cinnamon bread!" Mum kissed Angie quickly on the forehead and hurried to the kitchen winking at me on the way. I heard clattering coming from the kitchen. My mom returned with oven mitts and a large bread pan overflowing with the sweet smelling pastry. She placed it on one of the wooden endtables in the livingroom. "Its got rose in it too! Angie, honey, you're not allergic to rose are you?" Mum asked. Angie shook her head  "no."
"Good, roses are good for grief. " Mum came to me, squeezed my shoulders and gave me a quick hug. "Want to help me finish it Maura?" I gladly accepted. Any time my mom made this bread I put the vanilla honey sugar glaze and  cinnamon strudel on top. I liked to put the glaze on while the bread was hot so it could seep into the loaf. This bread always made me feel better.
While the bread cooled I gave Angie some pajamas that were a little small on me and encouraged her to take a shower. As soon as I got the water running and closed the bathroom door my mom started questioning me.
"What happened?" She put her hand on my back and led me to the living room.
"I was going to drop Angie off at Gran's house. We couldn't find her and when we went looking for her in the woods we found her hand."
"Just her hand?" Mum was fidgeting, she rubbed her arm and glanced out of the window.
"Yeah it looked like it had been ripped off. We called the cops and they are probably still looking for her." I answered.
"Oh, honey, thats horrible." Mum pulled me into a hug, "I'm sorry you had to see all that and I'm so sorry for your friend too." I hugged my mom back. I felt so safe in her arms.
"I just don't know how to help her. Neither of my grandmas died like this. This is different." I fought empathetic tears for my friend. She'd be out of the shower any minute and I needed to be strong for her.
"I know. Sometimes all you can do is be there for someone while they heal. This trauma is going to take a little while."
A while is what I didn't have. I knew more than anything that I needed to get as far away from my loved ones as possible. Perhaps to a big city where the steel buildings were high and nature was limited.
The water was still running in the bathroom so I took the time to voice my other thoughts.
"I saw the little ones in the woods. But not until after we were out of there. They didn't try to attack me. I can't figure out why."
"Maybe they were just watching. I've come to understand they work on their own time."
"I need to leave soon Mum." I declared.
"You will not." I was taken aback by the authoritative bite in my mother's words.
"None of you is safe around me. Just look at Gran." I argued weakly.
"You had nothing to do with that poor woman's death, Maura. The small ones are after you. Only you because they know you saw them. They will not attack your friends, family, or any other people who can not See. It is a waste of their time. I can not protect you if you leave." She emphasized the last sentence, jaw clenched, fire in her eyes. We heard the water shut off. I hurried to a seat and tried to calm my outward appearance while Mum went to the kitchen. Angie sat beside me and rested her damp head on my shoulder. My mom returned with four plates and a bread cutting knife. The extra plate was one she usually set outside and let the raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife feed on it. The bread was delicious, rich and sweet. It warmed my body with delight and a calm rushed over me. I swear this bread was magic. Worry left my mind and I drifted into a deep slumber.
I woke with my arms around Angie, her short cropped hair tickled my nose. My embrace was probably the only thing holding her on the couch. Her knees and  one arm hovered off of the edge of the cushions while the other arm held mine. She smelled like the strawberry kiwi shampoo from my shower. I nuzzeled my nose into the nape of her neck, immersing myself in her aroma. She was warm and so comfortable.
The moment was short lived. She stirred awake quickly and her lower half fell to the ground. My arms held her awkwardly as she sat slanted on the floor looking a little dazed. Realization crossed her face, sadness filled her eyes, and she smiled kindly at me. She patted my arm to make me release her and she quickly disappeared into the bathroom.

Mum came in through the back door. She enjoyed morning strolls around the yard. Her feet and ankles were wet with dew and grass clung to her soles and between her toes. I hardly ever saw her in shoes, especially when she was home.  She told me she liked to feel the earth.
"Mornin Maura! Looks like your friends up too hope you two slept well." Mum winked at me and the heat of embarrassment ignited my cheeks.
"Shut up" I giggled and threw a pillow from the couch at her.
"Thats not a very nice thing to say to your mother." Mum smirked and tossed the pillow back. "Breakfast?" I nodded. Mum flipped the radio on and started going through cabinets in the kitchen.
The soothing vocals of Stevie Nicks faded out and the broadcaster started the morning News. Besides the everyday newsworthy media, there was a brief mention of the search for Angie's grandmother. There was also news of another death.
"Miss Crystal Watkins, 26, of Newton, was found deceased in her place of employment, Jackson's Diner. Foul play is expected and further investigation is in progress. The family and friends of this poor girl are in our hearts..." the radio newscaster switched his tone from sadness to salesman without missing a beat as he promoted a local car wash. My brows creased as I searched for a Crystal Watkins. The news must have upset Mum. She stopped what she was doing and walked off, pulling her hair and muttering to herself. I found the obituary of the girl. It was the waitress from the diner.