The Soulkeepers

Chapter 38: Taken

Pfoosh.

The pumpkin rocketed from the giant metal pipe, an orange blur against the graying fall sky. It arced across the horizon before plummeting to its inevitable doom well past the point that he could discern it from the rural landscape. Morton's Pumpkin Chuckin' festival was just beginning.

Jacob stood behind a row of giant cannons and catapults, watching teams of adults make last-minute adjustments to the machines with the sole purpose of projecting a pumpkin farther than any other. He smiled to himself and pulled his coat tighter around his chest. When you didn't have the ocean or mountain to keep you busy, he supposed you hurled pumpkins.

"That was amazing." Malini stared as the next pumpkin disappeared behind the horizon. The bowl of pumpkin ice cream in her hand was disappearing rapidly. She offered a spoonful to Jacob.

"Thanks." The thick creamy texture was accentuated by the flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon with a subtle pumpkin pie finish. "It's really good," he said honestly, "but I can't believe we're eating ice cream at nine in the morning."

"It's always sold out by lunch." She scooped in another bite. "So, have you heard if Dane's going to be all right?"

"Yes. His dad called my uncle and said he had a concussion, two broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a broken arm. But they've patched him up and he's in stable condition."

"And, you didn't see who did it? You have no idea?"

Jacob lowered his voice. "Malini, that's what I told the hospital. That's not what happened." It was the first time he'd been alone with her since the incident and the last thing he wanted to do was text her the entire story. There was no way he was putting it in writing.

"What did happen?"

"It was Auriel."

The bowl fell from Malini's hand, the sickly pallor returning to her face. He took her waist to hold her up.

"What's wrong? Are you sick again?"

"No. I just knew. I knew there was something ... evil about her. There's something I need to tell you, Jake."

A loud bellow interrupted them. "What did you think of that one, Jacob?" Uncle John was waving his hat about ten feet away, a bottle of pumpkin beer in his hand. Linda and Mark stood in front of him with the twins. Next to him, Dr. Silva smiled up at the flying pumpkins. She did not spare so much as a glance toward Jacob.

"Why don't you go get some more ice cream?" he said to Malini. Jacob tilted his head toward Dr. Silva. Whatever Auriel was, if there was one person who would know what to do about her, it was Dr. Silva.

Malini nodded.

Jacob made his way over and stood between John and Dr. Silva. "That was really great, how far do you think it went, Uncle John?"

"Oh, easily a mile," he said.

Jacob turned to Dr. Silva. "It's good to see you again, Dr. Silva." He tried hard to sound casual. "I was wondering if I could ask you a question about your garden?"

"Her garden's why she's here, Jacob. She donates the pumpkins from her patch."

Dr. Silva briefly glanced down her nose at Jacob, her eyes icy daggers. "Oh, Jacob, you've proven yourself capable of figuring out all of your questions on your own. You don't need me." She smiled up at John. "It was nice to see you again, neighbor. I've got to get back. Enjoy the show."

"See you later, Abigail," John called with a wave of his hand, never taking his eyes off the flying pumpkins.

Dr. Silva rushed off toward a weathered red barn that stood on the property. Jacob followed. He had to practically sprint to keep up. As he watched her black cloak flutter through the open barn door, he saw Auriel.