Ren Vampire Spy (Book 1 of the Ren Series)

NOT THIS TIME, GHOST BOY

NOT THIS TIME, GHOST BOY

The girls laughed at the bus stop.  After Dani saw the phone she told Ren she was way jealous.  Ren told her thanks and showed her the light saber app.  At school Ren was called down to the principal's office.

“Lauren Laughrag,” the principal started.  “You are being given a special dispensation.  We don't allow phones in the classrooms so you will need to keep it on vibrate.  You father told us there was a family crisis and we want to help out any way we can.  I do want you to know that if the phone becomes a problem I will take it.  Do you understand?”

“Yes sir, and thank you.  I know my parents will be grateful.”

“I have prepared you a note to show your teachers.  It explains everything.  Now you have biology, you had better get going.”

“Yes sir and thank you sir.” Ren got up and raced to her class.  It's going to be a good day.

As Ren rounded the corner by the art room she ran right into Sammy.  In fact she ran right through Sammy.  She hated that cause it was always cold and felt wet. 

“Sammy,” Ren cried out, “What the fudge are you doing?”

Almost without warning Sammy went flying down the hall.  “Ren what did you do?  Help me.”

Ren realized what had happened and smiled, “Not this time ghost boy.”  She continued toward class and she sent a message with her mind.  “Thanks Grandpa.  It worked.”

The rest of the morning was spent showing her new phone to everyone.  Everything was going great until lunch.  From across the room Ren saw the one person she had hoped to never see again.  Madam Bouliva.  She was the local medium who felt it was her duty to tell everyone whatever a ghost told her.  She marched right to Ren's table.

“We need to talk young one.”  Her tone was serious, her voice deep and raspy.

Ren wanted to crawl under the table and ignore her but it was useless.  So she did the only thing she could think of at that moment.  “Hi Madam Bouliva, I would love to talk but I have to get to class.  I'm running a little late today.  I can swing by your shop after school.  All I need...”

She was cut off mid stream as Madam Bouliva said, “You have offended the spirits and they are going to extract vengeance upon you if you don't listen.”

“Ok, ok, let's take a walk and talk away from all these people.”  Ren was exasperated.  Madam Bouliva nodded and walked to the door.  Ren followed and the two went to a quiet place to talk outside school.  “Alright let's hear it.  What the harmonica is so all fired important that you have to come shouting in the lunch room so everyone can hear.”

“Mind your tongue little one.  I am Madam Bouliva.  When a spirit wants to say something to someone it is my calling to deliver the message.  You do realize that as someone who can see them you have a responsibility to help when you can.”

“I know my responsibility and right now it is to get an education without Sammy screaming all day.  Besides what he wants me to do is ridicules.  Do you even know what he is whining about.  Someone beat his stupid school track record and he wants me to go to the school and complain that the guy cheated.”      

“Is that really so much to ask?  What does it matter to you?”

“Look, I'm enough of a freak already.  Accusing some guy of cheating at a track meet will really do loads of good for my reputation.”  Ren's tone was sarcastic. 

“Well he claims you put a spell on him.  I told him that was impossible because I am the only one in town who can cast spells.”

“Well on that point he is not totally wrong.”  Ren had to think of something to tell Madam Bouliva.  She couldn't tell her his Grandpa and Mother could both work spell-craft.  Then an idea hit.  “I bought a spell from E-bay.”

“Young lady you will get ripped off if you buy spells from them.  You should always come to me for your spell needs.  I'll bet you paid way to much for that spell.  Didn't you.”  Madam Bouliva had a smug look on her face and made Ren feel inferior. 

Ren wanted to say something back but held her tongue.  Getting into an argument with the Mighty Madam was not worth it.  Besides she was under strict orders to not cause any scenes.  So Ren did the only thing she could do, she apologized.

“I'm sorry Madam Bouliva, I was surfing the internet and came across this spell.  I thought it would solve me problem with Sammy.  I guess I was wrong.  I'm sorry Madam Bouliva.  I should know that when it comes to spells you need to buy local.”  Ren put on her most pathetic face and looked down at her feet.

“You are so right Ren.  Local people know all the ramifications of any spell.  But don't you fret dear I can fix this.”  Madam waved her hands around and chanted in Latin for a few minutes.

Ren was mortified, if anyone she knew saw this flapping they would brand  her a complete freak.  She put her hands over her eyes and prayed that she would be done soon.

“There Ren.  That should solve your problem.  That will be ten dollars.”  Madam Bouliva held out her hand expecting full payment now.

Rather than tell the old fake off she reached into her backpack removed a ten spot and handed it to Madam Bouliva.  “Thank you Madam.”

“You're welcome Ren.  You have a nice day.”  With that she turned and walked away pocketing the money as she went.

Ren made her way to her next class.  She slumped down into her chair and just waited for the day to end.  Three hours later she was on the bus heading home.  Dani was talking a mile a minute all the way home but Ren didn't hear a word.  I hope Madam Bouliva failed.   All I need is Sammy showing up again demanding I speak to the school board.  This whole thing was getting ridicules.  According to Ziggy anything that can go wrong will.  That being the case I am in big trouble.