SOUL

ten years later

January 1st, 2024

Mary sat on the front porch of her small, cozy home nestled in the quiet hills of Bend, Oregon. The cool morning air was crisp, the smell of pine and fresh earth filling her lungs. The wind rustled gently through the trees that lined the property, and the distant sound of birdsong added to the peaceful ambiance. A gentle purring vibrated against her arm as one of her four cats, Misty, settled in her lap, her soft fur warming Mary's hands. Mary ran her fingers through Misty's fur absently, her thoughts wandering as she gazed out into the distance.

Her life had become simple, quiet, and peaceful over the years—a far cry from the chaos of her youth. It had been ten years since she had left everything in Seattle behind, moving to Bend to live with her grandmother and take over the apothecary shop. And though her grandmother had passed two years prior, the life Mary had built here had stayed steady and rooted. She had learned to fully understand and embrace her abilities, helping people and spirits alike in ways that felt meaningful. She had come to terms with her gift, using it to bring peace where there had once been only confusion and fear.

Her days were filled with gardening, meditating, and running the shop. People in the town came to her for herbal remedies, spiritual guidance, and help with ailments they didn't trust modern medicine to fix. But it was more than that. Mary had also become known for her quiet visits to the hospital, where she would sit with dying patients, helping them cross over peacefully. She had a way of soothing them, of easing their transition. And though it was difficult at times, it brought her a sense of purpose.

Her four cats—Misty, Luna, Orion, and Juniper—were her constant companions, bringing warmth and joy to her days. Each one seemed to have a personality of their own, and though they were independent creatures, they always found their way back to her, curling up in her lap or by her side when she needed them most.

Mary had found contentment here. She loved Bend. The town, with its serene natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere, felt like home in a way no other place ever had. She had become part of the fabric of the community, and even though people whispered about her oddities, they also respected her. And for the first time in her life, she felt... whole.

She glanced to her left, where Mika, her best friend, sat with her own cup of tea, staring out into the yard with a contemplative expression. Mika was a strong-willed, no-nonsense woman who had moved in next door a few years ago, and from the moment they met, they had clicked. Mika didn't mind that Mary was different. In fact, she had embraced it, and had even helped Mary become more confident in herself, more sure of the things she could do.

Mika was tough, with her sharp humor and ironclad opinions, but she was also loyal to a fault. Over the years, she had become Mary's closest confidant, the one person who knew everything—about her abilities, about her past, about the secrets she carried. And while most people might've been skeptical, Mika had never questioned it. She believed Mary completely.

Today, though, there was a quiet tension in the air. Something unspoken sat between them as they sipped their tea, Misty curled up in Mary's lap, and Orion lounging lazily at Mika's feet.

Mary sighed softly, her eyes drifting to the mountains in the distance. She could feel it—the dark presence looming on the horizon, like the calm before a storm. It had been growing for days, that gnawing feeling in her stomach, the sense that something was coming. And it wasn't good.

"Something's going to happen," Mary said quietly, breaking the silence. She shifted in her seat, her eyes flicking to Mika. "Something bad."

Mika turned her head, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice steady but curious.

Mary stroked Misty's fur, her gaze distant. "I don't know yet. But it's coming. I've felt it for days—like a shadow creeping closer, just out of sight. It's..." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's bad, Mika. I don't know what it is, but it's bad."

Mika studied her for a moment, her expression thoughtful but calm. She had grown used to Mary's premonitions over the years, and though they often startled her, she trusted Mary's instincts. "What do you think it is? A spirit?"

Mary shook her head, biting her lip. "No, it's not a spirit. It's something darker, something... more dangerous."

Mika leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. "Have you seen anything? A vision, maybe?"

"Not yet," Mary admitted, frustration tightening her chest. "That's the worst part. Usually, I get a clearer sense of what's coming. But this... it's just a feeling. A bad one."

Mika sipped her tea, her face composed as she took it all in. "Well, whatever it is, we'll handle it."

Mary nodded, but she couldn't shake the dread gnawing at her. Mika was right—she had faced dark forces before, spirits that refused to cross over, restless souls that clung to their anger and pain. But this felt different. It felt bigger, more insidious, and it scared her in a way she hadn't felt in years.

"I'm just worried," Mary said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "What if I can't stop it?"

Mika set her tea down, her expression hardening in that protective way she always had. "You've stopped plenty of things before."

Mary smiled weakly, grateful for Mika's unwavering support. "Thank you. I just... I wish I could figure out what it is."

Mika gave her a reassuring pat on the arm, her grip firm. "You'll figure it out. You always do."

They sat in silence for a while, the wind rustling through the trees, the occasional chirp of a bird breaking the quiet. Mary leaned back, resting her head against the wooden frame of the porch. She stared up at the sky, trying to clear her mind, but the feeling lingered, heavy and oppressive.

Something was coming. And whatever it was, it was going to change everything.

For now, though, she tried to focus on the present—on the peace she had carved out here, on the life she had built. She had found a small slice of happiness, a calm she had never thought possible.

But the storm was coming. And when it arrived, Mary knew that everything—her quiet life, her sense of safety, her connection with the spirits—would be tested.

And she could only hope she was ready for it.