The Banshee and The Barista

Chapter 1

It had been three days since Jenny last spoke aloud. It wasn't the longest she had ever gone but she was pleased with herself.

Adanna, the Supreme Witch, said that Jenny was a Banshee. She could sense impending death. In myth, she's supposed to wail, and anyone who heard her scream would die soon.

That'snot how it worked for her, at least, not so far. Jenny could dream a death. She could feel the darkness in the world. It was a heavy black aura that fell over her mind and into her bones. She sensed the light in people that was quickly burning out, the light in their eyes dimming, the heat of their body growing colder even when their heart was slowly stopping and she didn't have to scream. Jenny whispered and the person died. Anytime she spoke, Jenny was afraid that someone nearby would perish.

Onetime, she noticed that the bus driver was on the verge of a heart attack. She perceived a dark hole in his chest that nobody else could see. Though she was desperate to say something, before any sound came out, he hunched over the steering wheel and stopped breathing. At least the bus was at a stop when that happened.

The last thing she'd said three days ago was goodbye to her co-worker,Maggie, at the spa she worked at. Halloween was here now, so she couldn't keep her mouth shut any longer. Too many witches were around. Too many friends that she had to smile at, and say hello to,and ask about their day. Jenny wanted to chew her lips off but couldn't. She breezed into her favorite coffee shop. The barista always knew what she wanted, a large Earl Grey tea with a splash of milk. She didn't have to order.

Jenny put her money on the counter and a buck in the tip jar.

The skinny guy behind the counter smiled widely and chattered on about how the weather was so bright for Halloween. He wouldn't quit rambling that the sunny outlook ruined his holiday happiness.Eventually, Jenny stopped listening and just stared. He had a satin red cape around his neck that looked like it was made for children and a super hero shirt on. Jenny stared and chewed on her bottom lip,stifling a laugh. He looked ridiculous in his baggy jeans, worn skater shoes, and a makeshift costume.

"Oh,you like my costume? It's not much, I know. But my boss doesn't let us wear real costumes. He said I have to stop overwhelming the customers, and he totally shut down my vampire idea. He said the dripping blood would scare people, especially the kids, but I told him that he couldn't kill my holiday spirit." His smile was wide, and he ran his hand through his long, jet-black hair.

Jenny nodded and tapped her fingernails on the counter top. He didn't turn to get her tea. Instead, he pulled an empty paper cup from behind him but kept up the smile.

"Jenny,right?" he said. "I'm Mac. I work here." He pointed at the name tag on his shirt and laughed at his own joke.

Jenny nodded and sighed. The Coven meeting started in ten minutes, and she didn't want to be late. The coffee shop was supposed to be busy.There should be a line of people behind her, pushing Mac to shut up and move onto the next person, but it was empty. She studied the hipster art on the brick walls, hoping that someone would walk in behind her and distract Mac. But the café remained deserted. Just Mac and Jenny.

Usually, Jenny would choose the corner booth by the window and study her herbs and crystals, do some finger stretches, and drink her tea in silence.It was nice to sit around other people but not say a word.

"You don't talk much. I know you come in here a lot, but you don't say much. You keep to yourself." He gulped and his throat bobbed up and down. "But I don't mean that in a stalker kind of way. You don't need to call Dateline on me or anything. I'm saying that you come in a lot when I'm working, and you're kind of hard to ignore.I've noticed-"

He must have seen her grimace. Oh great, Jenny.Get it together. You're supposed to be friendly to people. Quiet.Mute even, but friendly. People don't ask questions of friendly people.

"I didn't mean that you are like freaky or something and that's why you're hard to ignore. It's that I think you're amazingly beautiful and you never talk to anyone, especially me..." He turned away from her and poured hot water in the cup. He dropped the tea bag in,poured a quick dash of milk, and splashed a bit over the edge. He pushed the top on and slid it across the counter toward her hands.His cheeks were rosy and flushed. His black eyelashes were long, and his deep brown eyes stared into hers for a brief moment. It took her breath away.

Great,Jenny. Now you made him uncomfortable and weird. You probably can't come back into this place again. You ruined it.She screwed up her face in a frown.

"H-h-h-h-have a good day." The words stumbled out of his mouth. She could practically see them in front of her. Even with his thick beard stubble, his jaw clenched.

She nodded again and took her tea. She stopped for a moment and opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Come on. You can say something. You have to say something, anything. One word. Use your words. I can do this. I can say something. She warred with herself. She couldn't do it. Don't say anything. It could backfire. It'd be like that one time at the Perez house. All you said was 'Good morning' and the parrot dropped dead. Like that. You dreamt it. You said words. It happened. You can't say anything. You could kill him. Remember the nice librarian lady with the purple cardigan. You asked her where a book on lions was, and she had a heart attack at the zoo the next day. Keep your mouth shut.

She shuffled to the front door. Mac groaned behind her.