The public library and my own personal laptop proved to be very helpful while I was working on gathering information. The only thing was, all the stuff I had read about, Casey had already told me. I happened to find that somewhat disappointing considering I was eager to learn more. So much had been uncovered, yet I felt like there was still tons more. What type of powers do I have? How do I use them?
Casey hadn't bothered to call, but this time I wasn't getting on her case about it. If she was busy, she was busy. I would have to wait till she could free up her schedule. Then again, I found myself wondering: What exactly does a ghost do in her free time? Haunt people? I had to laugh at that. Of course not. Not Casey, anyways. She's not like that.
"Liz! Dinner's ready!" my mom called from downstairs.
"All right! Be down in a sec!" I got up from my bed and walked across the creaky floor. As of right now, the house was in its older version. Ever since Casey told me what had happened and what went on in the house when it was like this, I've been more alert. Of course I couldn't really do anything if her dad decided to attack. I didn't know how to operate my powers yet.
The first five or so minutes of dinner passed like they always do: with me on the edge of my seat. When nothing happened I slowly began to relax until I could enjoy myself. At one point, though, I could've sworn I felt a cool gust of wind roll across my leg. I glanced at the doors leading to outside to find them closed. How odd... It came again this time, but stronger. From what I could tell there were no other open windows, or vents around the table. I gulped, sneaking a look under the table. What was going on?
"Pass the potatoes please," I mumbled, reaching a hand out, brushing it off as being paranoid. Before my fingers could close around the bowl, my wrist suddenly began to burn. I jerked my hand back, sending the bowl crashing into the table. The pain intensified, and I gripped it tight with my other hand.
"Elizabeth! Are you all right?" Mom asked, leaning over the table the slightest bit. I bit my lip in an attempt not to cry out.
"I'm fine. Just give me a minute," I managed to gasp before leaping out of my chair and making a beeline for the bathroom. With the door firmly closed and locked, I began inspecting my wrist.
Right on the inside of it was a mark. There were two triangles that overlapped at two points. Around it was a perfect circle. The skin making the mark was red, and stung when I touched it. Looking around I tried to find a way to douce the pain. As soon as my eyes landed on the sink, I lunged for it and stuck my hand under the water. All it did though was sting more.
"Ahh... crap!" I exclaimed, patting the mark down gingerly with a shaking hand. Tears were beginning to pool in my eyes. This was bad. Very bad.
_____________________
"Casey?" I called out while knocking on the door. By now the sun had set and the sky was an inky black. Stars were just beginning to show.
The door swung open to reveal Casey. She had a black eye as well as a bandaged arm.
"What happened?" I asked, stepping inside. Casey closed the door behind me and gave a weary smile.
"Ghost Catching business."
"Oh..."
My mouth fell open. "Anyways, what do you need?" Casey asked taking a seat. I walked up to her and brandished my wrist. "What the heck is that?" I asked. Casey pulled my hand down closer, but released it a second later. "This is bad. Very bad," she muttered. Her chair fell back she stood up so suddenly."Why?" "He's moving along quicker than I thought he would." "Wait what? Are you talking about your dad? Casey tell me what's going on!" I demanded. She froze and turned to look at me. "That mark is a mark that only Ghost Catchers can get. You don't get it until you come into contact with a ghost- typically your first ghost. And if I'm right then you encountered my dad. That means he's coming out earlier than I thought. We have less time." I looked back down at the mark. On the ride here it had healed and was now a chalky white. It stood out against my skin like a cold sore. Great. "Does it ever go away?" A silent pause briefly occurred...."No." Said Casey "Well then I need to start training. Now. I can't leave my family defenseless." Casey was thoughtful for a minute. "Alright. Lets go outside. We don't want to break anything." There was a faint smile on her face. We circled around to the back of the house where we settled in a giant field. "Alright. Now, Ghost Catcher's can do virtually anything. All you need is the concentration and strength. Let's start with the easier stuff like summoning the elements. It's a little dark, don't you think...?" The question hung in the air, as Casey watched me with her arms folded across her chest. Slowly I stretched a hand forward, palm upwards. Then, like I had read in fiction books, I closed my eyes and pictured fire. I imagined the flames dancing in the dark night. A small, almost vibrating sensation emitting from them and into my hand. The next thing I knew, there was a soft hum and then my eyelids lightened. Cautiously I opened one eye, and then the other. There, hovering above my palm, was a small fire. Smoke drifted into the sky above and small embers flew out and drifted down to the grass. "Wow. You're a-" A loud crack followed by a bang erupted from behind us. The fire disappeared, pitching us into darkness. The only light now came from the flashes of lightning coming down a hundred yards away. Casey's face was grim as she watched, while mine showed confusion. There was no rain. It had been a fairly nice evening as far as I was concerned. "It looks like we have visitors," she said, running towards the strange bolts."Casey!" I yelled after her. The wind had picked up now, sending my hair around my face and the grass swaying. Her form was slowly melding into the blackness. All I could do was run after her.
