2|| Whispers in the Wind

13|| see you at 9

Kalyani

The days zoomed by, Kalyani getting increasingly desperate. Roxanne hadn't visited her in ages, and all her friends were too busy. Her sister hadn't talked much to her since their conversation the other day, and Kalyani had a nagging feeling she was planning something. Brushing it off, she opened the biography for what was the fifth time today. For some reason, nothing ever happened with it these days. Was the thing gone?

But no. Even if it was gone, Kalyani was sure it would be back. Her phone buzzed. It was Evelyn.

"Hi, what's up?" Kalyani asked.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go into the forest- you know, to gather more information on Roxanne. The spirit hasn't been showing itself to you lately," her voice kind of dropped off at the end.

Kalyani started. "Hey, I didn't tell you about that!"

"Okay, she made me promise not to tell, but Aria's been thinking about your issue and she wanted to help. She called me and we talked about it, and she decided we should meet at the forest. Yes, she'll be there too. She didn't want me to tell you since you might get mad."

That sure hurt. Kalyani would never get mad about someone trying to help her. Or before, that was. "Alright. I'll be down in ten. Also, I'm bringing Arlo. Her house is near mine."

"Ew, why?"

"Firstly because she could help us find Wilder, and secondly because I like her- she's my friend, and you need to respect that."

There was a pause on the other end, then: "Okay. Fine. See you."

The line cut off. Kalyani wanted to throw something. Why would Evelyn let one person mess with her interest in Kalyani's problem and her willingness to help? But she couldn't really do anything about it, so she ran a brush through her hair- she was already dressed- and started towards Arlo's house.

A few blocks away, Arlo stood ready and waiting at the edge of her lawn. "Hi Aria... wait. You're not Aria."

"No? Why'd you think that? Also how'd you know to be here?"

"Cause Aria invited me. To the forest meet," Arlo suddenly looked very interested in the line of cactuses near her feet.

"Reeaaallyy?" Kalyani raised her eyebrows. "I thought you didn't like her."

"Hey! No need to get all assume-y. I just came because I figured I would be of use," Arlo sounded awfully defensive.

Kalyani stifled an urge to lift an SUV and allowed Arlo to lead the rest of the way. About halfway, Aria caught up to them. "Hey, what'd I miss?"

Kalyani somehow didn't hear her.

"Why're you looking at me like that?" Aria said. Arlo pointedly looked away.

Something clicked in Kalyani's brain. Flashes of Arlo being super awkward and nice to her, that note with the number on it. And that "unless" moment she'd had before. What if it was?

"Hey, I forgot something at home. I'll catch up with you," Kalyani decided. In truth, she'd just go back around the block to the other side, where Evelyn lived.

"Why not come with you?" Arlo protested.

"It's alright."

And so, Kalyani ditched the two and started wondering about what they would face at the forest, and what the Stones had in plan. The path she'd spelled out in her head ended up being useful, and within minutes she was pressing the doorbell.

"Hey, we're out here!" called a voice. Kalyani located it coming from the corner of the backyard and peeked in. Evelyn, Leo, and Jacob stood waiting with their phones and a rock, which wasn't exactly useful.

"Hiya. What up with the rock?"

"I dunno, maybe to throw it at something- or better yet, someone."

Kalyani laughed. "I ditched the double A's- I had an idea and if it's right they're gonna be a little late."

"Yeah, I bet I know doing what," Jacob added. Evelyn smacked him on the forehead. "Ow!"

"We'll go now, let's leave them at it."

"Uh uh, you won't," came Arlo's voice. Her hand was on one of Aria's sleeves, as if she'd dragged her. If Kalyani's eyes did not deceive her, they both looked a little flustered. "Now let's go."

The forest was as gloomy and dappled as ever, sending them in to a seemingly never ending cave. "You brought the book Kalyani?" Evelyn asked.

She held it up as proof. They went on, until Kalyani began to recognize the place. It was where Aria had almost crashed Arlo's car. They came to a halt at the lake. "Whoa, Jacob. You didn't tell me we'd be coming here... I don't like the place," Kalyani shivered.

"We're here to contact Roxanne. You know this is the only place. And the graveyard, but we'll get there eventually. Mostly we're here cause I think I saw her spirit around here. Let's check again," Jacob said shortly.

He crouched onto the soil, and the rest of them leaned so their reflections were visible. Jacob threw the rock in his hand into the lake. The reflections rippled. Nothing happened. "Guys, move out of the way." He tried again. Nothing. "Wait, Kalyani. You try yourself."

He held out a rock.

Kalyani gingerly plucked it out of his hand and took his place. She threw it. For a moment, her reflection flickered. Then it changed. She almost shrieked and ran off, but contained herself. The face was of the little girl she always saw. She sucked in all her fears and spoke. "Hi. Long time no see."

The girl nodded. "I can't come anymore. She has new power over me. Come here if you want to see." She covered her face with her hands, and it morphed again. Now it was Roxanne Wesner, notorious murderer. Or so it seemed. "Hey there. I see you brought friends. I thought I warned you last time, Stone." And Jacob, spirit expert, actually paled. Roxanne vanished, leaving behind the little girl- who was her, of course.

"I'm getting weaker Kalyani. You need to help. Save yourself and your friends. Remember how you read about her family line? Well, Roxanne- the one I wish never happened- didn't kill everyone. One of them was alive." Now the face was struggling. "Sarah Wesner... she... sh... alive..."

The voice faded completely. Kalyani looked up, shocked. The rest of her friends- and her sister, had similar expressions. "Did you hear that?" she asked quietly.

They nodded in unison. "I think maybe we should call Wilder," Kalyani suggested.

The tension broke. "Wilder? Why the hell would you call him?" protested Arlo.

"Because he's popular. He's been here the longest out of us. He would know more people than we do."

"It's worth a shot," said Leo, surprising her. "I say we try." He pulled out his phone, scrolling to a contact. He put in front of them- he'd chosen video call.

Wilder's undeniably handsome face popped up in seconds. "What up Leo? Oh hey there. I see you all are here."

"We have an issue. And it kind of has to do with Sarah Wesner. Do you know anyone by that name?"

Wilder tilted his head. "Nope. My mom's name is Sarah, but we're not related to any Wesners. Come on over, and we could research. Let's just do it somewhere not in my house- cause you know?"

Leo and Evelyn both scrunched up their faces. "Ew. Yes, we know," Leo answered for both of them. "Let's try my house."

It was surprising to see him take initiative for something like this. He'd been out of the picture for weeks.

"Sure. See you at nine."