Speak with the Dead

Chapter 3

Ariela's Aunt Alicea lived in Silverleaf, just on the town's county border. She preferred her privacy since everyone in town knew she was a Prete. The town and Duerta family were unsure of what type of prete they were. Ariela thought they fell into the psychic realm. They weren't like the faeries from another realm, nor could they shift, and they weren't bound by the sun like the vampires.

Alicea lived in a two story ranch style home with plenty of garden art. Her jeep sat out in the dirt drive signalling that she was home. She pulled up behind the jeep and waited a few moments before turning off the car and getting out.

Nature was oddly silent around her Aunt's house save for the distant buzzing of hummingbirds. As she approached the deck, the door creaked open and her Aunt stood on the porch looking as beautiful as ever. Her dark eyes sparkled, her black hair was pulled back into a low bun.

"Hey," Alicea greeted. "It's good to see you!"

"Morning Alicea, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing greet. Come in for some tea."

"I actually had a quick question."

Alicea looked over her shoulder before she fully turned around. She studied her niece for a few silent moments before nodded.

"Go ahead." Her aunt was always to the point.

"There was a boy at my school that was recently killed. I was wondering if you knew anything about it,"

"Did a prete get him?"

"It was ruled an animal attack."

"And you think it was more."

Ariela ran a hand through her hair and glanced away. If there was one thing her mom disapproved of, it was using her abilities for others. Unlike Alicea, her mother didn't like for them to be out in the open about what they were. For a moment, the silence between them was filled with the buzzing of Hummingbirds and the cool mountain breeze.

"I talked to his ghost...he said he was punched before he was killed," Ariela explained. "An animal wouldn't punch him before killing him."

"Ariela..."

"I know mom would be pissed at me...but I can't do nothing," Ariela said, pleading in her eyes.

"I understand you want to help, but do you understand the path you're on?" Alicea questioned. She motioned for Ariela to follow her to the porch swing where they sat. "I have no jurisdiction on this."

"What's the point of these abilities if we just hide?" Ariela asked.

"Do you really know what goes into being an Out Prete?" Alicea questioned as she reached to her pocket. "I have to carry around another ID that identifies me as an Unspecified Prete. People know I'm a prete and some fear me, some hate me, some are just disgusted."

"I understand that...I have prete friends."

"It's not always helping grateful people, but helping ungrateful people and learning to walk away from those that don't want help even if they need it."

"Can you see if you can find out what why Trevor's death was ruled an animal attack?"

"Only if you visit me more," Alicea teased as she reached over and pulled Ariela into a hug.

"I can do that," Ariela agreed.

The ride back home was filled with contemplation. Glancing at her phone, she saw the rest of the day ahead of her. Going back home wasn't an option. If her mother got wind of her speaking to the dead, there'd be hell to pay. She set a course for Katsuo's place knowing she could talk to him about what was going on. Before she turned onto Main Street, she saw the new guy, Tyler, standing on a corner talking to a local.