The Ghost of Sander Jones

Chapter 16: Surveillance

For the next week I decided to eat dinner and breakfast with my parents praying that it would ward off any further suspicions of me. I even followed the on the errands that I was actually allowed to attend with them. During this time I had I watched my mom more closely watching to see if her behavior would alter any as the time passed but she kept herself carefully composed.

On my free time I had, I would still practice, do my homework, and talk to Sander. Mark came over everyday early in the mornings and practice. I only had a little more to learn from him. The spells I taught myself out side of training, I learned to master and now had full control over them. During this time Mark and I finally became friends. He was now a person I could trust, and a person who knew a big secret of mine.

Every time I would come back to rest a whole in my room Sander's mood perked up instantly. As the days passed, it seemed like a current of electricity passed through me every time he was around. Every time it that happened I had hoped he hadn't noticed but if he had of he didn't say anything to give it away. Each day feelings that had been unknown to me for a while, surfaced and made themselves present.

Late one night, three nights before Thanksgiving, I decided that I should text Mark for another session of training. While I waited on his text I walked to the bathroom and finished brushing my hair out letting it cascade around my shoulders. I sighed looking at my hair and walked back to bed.

"Phone." Sander said when I walked out. I nodded and walked to my bed laying down and stuffing pillows behind my back to prop myself up. When I was in the position I wanted I grabbed my phone and flipped screens until I was in messages.

When is a good day? Mark asked me in the text.

I thought about my reply and then text back. Not sure, maybe tomorrow?

Sure. See you then. I turned my phone off and sunk lower in the bed yanking on the sheets and quilt so that they covered me. "Good night Elizabeth." Sander said. He was sitting on the floor in front of the closet. "I'm not going yet." I replied. I stretched and got out of bed. He raised his eyebrow. "More stuff you have to do?" He tilted his head a little. "No, I'm just nervous, that's all."

"Nervous about what?" Sander asked, his eyebrows knitting together. He stood up and I walked over to him. "I only have a week and a few days left until my birthday. If that's a week away then who knows how long until this Half Moon Solstice thing happens." I closed the distance between Sander and I and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a protective embrace. "I'm sure you'll be ready by the time the solstice comes." I nodded once, thinking about what may or may not lie ahead in my path.

"I know but still..." I trailed off. "You'll be fine." He reassured. I bit my lip still unsure. "But do you think I will be able to defend myself?" I lifted my head a little so that I could look at Sander. He pulled me out of his embrace so that he could level his hands on my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes. "You're being trained by a good teacher. I sure you will be able to defend yourself if it comes to a fight."

Maybe he was right, maybe I would be able to protect myself from danger if it presented itself. "You're right. I'm just really worried that's all." I sighed and enjoyed the brief silence."I'm just a little worried." I said after a while of thought. "It's ok to worry. Now you should get to bed. Mark will probably be here early this morning like he is always." Before I had time to protest Sander steered me to the bed then backed away. "Sleep's important." I yawned not feeling like arguing anymore. Once again he was right, Mark would be over soon and I needed to get a little sleep while I could. "Alright fine, I'll go." I yawned again, stretched, and then climbed into bed. Sander nodded once, satisfied and then walked to the door stilling against it closing his eyes.