Erasing: Shadows (The Erasing Series) (9 page)

“You’re a Watcher, dear.” Mrs. Ross stated simply.

Startled, Stu stammered. “No, I’m not. I’m not anything.”

Mrs. Ross threw some rapid-fire questions to Stu, not leaving him time to answer:

“Do you have advanced skills, far above your age?”

“Could you care less about most real-world things that others find important?”

“Have you continuously wanted to know more about the universe and how it works?”

“Do you spend the majority of your time either practicing or learning more about your skills?”

“Do you never limit what is possible?”

“Do you help out when you notice trouble has affected the planes
?”

She leaned in closely. “Other than that, do you
not
interfere with the goings on here and there?”

Stu started to speak up, but Mrs. Ross shushed him. “There is no ‘yes, but...’ I am and you are. There is no ticket to stamp. We are because we are. People can believe or not, say anything or not, but we are still here. And we are, because we are.”

“But how do you know?” asked Stu, still flabbergasted.

Mrs. Ross leaned forward again and stated with force, “I
know
, because I know what is happening in other places. I
understand
, because I understand a bigger picture than just the so-called real world. I
dare
, because I know when to use my will to make something change and no other time—I never do it frivolously, and I
witness
, because I keep silent concerning my actions and the actions of others, even as I protect them. That is what a Watcher does!”

Triumphant, Mrs. Ross paused.

Stu grimaced. He looked around at the room they were in, created entirely from Mrs. Ross’s imagination and made real by her strength of will and energy. He had done smaller experiments before but nothing like this. He had only read of things this scale in books. Books that emblazoned everything he wanted to learn and to be into his skull. And here he was in the middle of it, being called a Watcher by someone who obviously knew what they were doing.

He grimaced again.

“I know,” said Mrs. Ross. “It’s a great responsibility. However, you’ve already taken up the mantle, whether you knew it or not. Might as well take the name.”

She was right.
I’ve already been doing all of that. On my own.

“Ok,” he said, with difficulty. He sighed. “I’m a Watcher.”

Mrs. Ross spoke again. “Like I said, no one stamps your ticket, we just recognize each other. One day, you’ll learn to do the same.” She paused and took a sip of tea that came from a cup and saucer that had not been there a second ago.

“Wow,” said Stu, an expression he was not accustomed to using.

“Now…” Mrs. Ross started then stopped.

“What’s wrong?” asked Stu.

“I sense something is happening, but I don’t know what,” said Mrs. Ross in a disturbed tone, her eyes wide open.

Stu could tell from the look on her face that it wasn’t good, but he saw that she brushed it off. “It’s so nice you already understand so much,” she said.

“Like the fact that time here is not the same as in the real world?” suggested Stu.

“Exactly,” said Mrs. Ross. Her eyes were still troubled.

“Anyway,” she continued ominously, “there are two things I want you to take to heart.”

“Okay,” said Stu. He really didn’t know what else to say.

“First, I need you to listen to me when the time is right about Mira and Michael. I know you think you know everything, and I don’t mean that in a bad way, but I understand a bigger picture. One day you will too, but I need you to trust me and when the time comes, do what I say, regardless of what it seems like. It is no time soon, but we need to achieve this mutual understanding. Can you do what I ask?”

Stu squinted his eyes and furrowed his brow. What was she going to ask him to do?

“I can assure you,” said Mrs. Ross, “that it will be the right thing to do for everyone involved and will work out to a good end, whatever it seems like at the time. That is the problem with understanding the big picture.”. “Sometimes, to help people the most, we mustn’t stop them from making mistakes,” she said, mystery in her voice. “Like I said, it won’t be anytime soon, if that makes you feel any better.”

Stu stepped back and considered the implications for a moment. “All right,” he said with hesitation. “But only because I understand a little of what you mean from my own experience. Sometimes I have to say one thing and mean another, because it would mess the other person up to do otherwise.”

“I knew you would understand,” said Mrs. Ross, “but I still need your word.”

“You have my word,” said Stu, who didn’t know what he was promising, but he did know that Mrs. Ross loved her family more than anything else, so what else was there to do?

“Good. Now that’s settled, the second thing is Madison.” Mrs. Ross pointed a bony finger at Stu, for she had not appeared younger this time. She looked like her regular grandmotherly, somewhat wizened, self. “I want you to be good to her, young man!”

Stu was taken aback and instantly retorted, “Wait, I don’t have time for girlfriends or dates or anything like that. I just don’t—”

Mrs. Ross laughed. “Good! Because that’s not what she needs. She has plenty of those!”

“Wait a minute,” Stu paused. He was picturing Madison with other guys and his face turned red. He went silent and squirmed in his uncomfortable chair.

Mrs. Ross spoke with a real seriousness. Stu suspected she had been feeling him out.
Wily old gal
. “Stu, there will come a time when Madison will be in trouble. Not like Mira is now. No, Madison is more like me and like you, but she’s not a Watcher. She’s like fire. She is going to learn things on her own and, at some point, she’s going to take on too much and end up in hot water. I want you to help her when that happens.”

Stu felt better after hearing that. He stopped squirming, but Mrs. Ross wasn’t finished. “Michael will want to help her and Mira too, and Jonathan won’t be around to stick up for you then. But I want you to step in anyway. Do you understand? Michael has devoted his life to his family. You have devoted yours, and will continue to do so, to learning, to the other world—the astral. Madison will need you there, and, as much as Michael loves her, it’s you that can help her. Understand?”

“Yes,” said Stu. And he did. He didn’t look forward to it, but he understood.

“Good. Madison will not be easy—” She stopped again, this time a stricken look on her face.

“There are so many questions,” started Stu.

“Quick!” Mrs. Ross said so loud that Stu jumped. “We have to go!” She didn’t wait for Stu to follow, just grabbed him by the sleeve, and took them both.

They landed a block away from the Ross house, behind trees. Stu started to run toward the house—something terrible must be happening—Mrs. Ross had scared him, but she grabbed him again. She wiped away tears. Now Stu’s heart was pounding and not from the running.

“It won’t help to run, sweetheart,” she said softly, her face ashen. “Plus, we have no logical way of understanding what has just happened in the real world, so it wouldn’t look right for us to show up knowing anything. We need to walk up to the house.”

“But, um, we have no groceries with us.” Stu was still thinking intellectually.

“It won’t matter,” said Mrs. Ross sadly. “They won’t notice such things.”

Stu sighed a heavy sigh.

By the time they made it up to the porch of the Ross house, Stu’s hands were trembling. He placed one on the doorknob. As they walked in, they heard the sound of crying and went toward it.

Most of the gang was in the living room. Lu was collapsed in Onie’s arms. Zac had his face in his hands. Jonathan was sitting in a chair opposite them, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“What happened?” demanded Stu, almost stuttering.

Michael appeared at the doorway and looked stricken. “Trina is dead.”

Chapter Eleven

Things Fall Apart

For a moment, Stu couldn’t comprehend what he was hearing. “What?” he said with a gasp.

Mrs. Ross wiped tears from her eyes and hurried through the house to attend to Madison, Morgan, and Brandon. Madison and Morgan surely would have been affected by the news. This left the gang alone, and Stu feeling like an outsider amidst their grief. He wanted to know what happened but didn’t want to ask anyone. Neither did he want to leave. So he just stood where he was, head hanging down, with a lump in his throat.

Of all people, Michael noticed his discomfort and gently invited him to sit down. “You are as involved in this as all of us, now.”

“Why couldn’t someone prevent this!” lashed out Lu to no one in particular. Onie held Lu while she sobbed.

Jonathan was the one who cleared his throat and, sparing the worst details, brought Stu up to date.

“She was tagging,” said Jonathan. “The McArthur house in real life, you know, based on our old protocol. A little corner of the fence around it. Someone noticed, and the police came.”

“I don’t understand,” said Stu dumbly. It made no sense.

“She ran from them,” Zac intervened, “instead of just staying there. You know Trina.” Zac’s voice faltered, and he was unable to continue.

Onie saw Zac crumble and took over. “They tased her Stu. They caught up with her and tased her.”

Lu finally spoke up. “She had arrhythmia. She’s always had it. The Taser killed her.” She sobbed again into Onie’s arms.

Onie continued for her. “By the time anyone realized what was happening, they tried to resuscitate her, but it was too late.”

“I can’t believe this happened! She was an artist!” Lu yelled to no one. “She has sculptures and art hanging in galleries!”

“Lu, come stay with us for a few days,” said Onie.

“No,” said Lu, “I just want to go home.”

“Okay,” said Zac, “I’ll drive you there.”

Lu started to gather up her things. She looked at Stu as if she was about to say something but then changed her mind.

“I’ll come check on you in a few hours,” said Onie tearfully.

As Zac and Lu left, Lu paused and looked at Michael. “Michael,” she said, crying, “I know this was an accident and all, and in the real world, but I don’t want anything to do with anything for a while.” She sobbed again. “I hope Mira…” she couldn’t finish.

Michael came over quickly and hugged her. “It’s okay, honey, we all understand. I’ll be by to check on you too.” Michael’s face felt wet, and his voice trembled.

One by one, they all hugged and left the Ross house except for Jonathan and Michael. However, when it was Stu’s turn to go, Michael stopped him.

“Stu,” he started, his voice still halting. “I know this hasn’t been easy for you, and it’s mostly my fault, but I am asking you as a personal favor to help Jonathan and me still. I am as upset as everyone, please believe me.” Several more tears rolled down his cheek as well as Jonathan’s. “But I have Mira to think about, all alone in the other world, and despite what just happened, which kills me, I have to keep working on getting her back.”, He choked up. He didn’t know what he would do if he lost Mira. He couldn’t think about it.

Jon hugged his brother. Stu stood again, shuffling his feet awkwardly while the scene unfolded.

When both brothers looked up and composed themselves, they again looked at Stu. Stu, his voice raspy, said, “I’m here to do whatever helps. You don’t have to ask. I’ll do whatever I can to help you and Jon and Mira and everyone.”

“Thank you Stu.” Michael gave him a quick hug and pat on the back.

“What do you want to do now, Michael?” asked Stu.

“As much as I hate to say it,” said Michael quietly, “I think we are all too upset and drained to do anything tonight. It could just as easily lead to disaster as to anything positive. I think,” his voice broke, “that for tonight, we have to let Mira stay there with the astral family that she created.” He turned his face away.

“I hate to say it too,” said Jonathan, “but I agree. I just don’t think I can hold it together at present. Why don’t we take tonight and give ourselves some space. Michael, I’m sure you want to be with Madison and Morgan too, since they knew Trina. We can meet up again, just the three of us, at noon tomorrow and see how much we feel we can take on.”

Stu nodded. Michael nodded yes and again hugged his brother. “I’m going to go see about the girls . Jon, can you show Stu out?”

“Sure, and I’m going too. I’d rather be alone tonight, if you know what I mean.”

“I do,” said Michael, for Jon had no wife and kids to look after. Or to look after him, for that matter. It worked both ways. Even as Michael went to comfort his kids, he knew they would be a comfort to him as well.

***

Even though the High Five Gang—Mira loved the sound of that when she was told—was nowhere to be seen that day, Mira had enjoyed the daytime, running through the fields with Paul and fishing in the stream. The hills smelled like fresh grass and the remnants of corn. The fish were jumping. She liked to watch them play in the stream and loved the marine smell. She kind of wondered if anyone would come out tonight astrally, though they hadn’t planned it. She decided she would go somewhere herself, just to see if she could. Maybe she would run into somebody. She kind of hoped Michael would be there. Then they could talk some more. He hadn’t seemed to mind when she grabbed his hand. She had surprised even herself. She was usually not so forward. What was it about Michael?

Obviously, she couldn’t go to the McArthur house without an invitation. It was Michael and Jonathan’s family home. Her own house wasn’t a challenge, so Mira decided to go to the Emergency Meeting Place on the gravel in the field. She played there a lot anyway, so she figured it would be a good place to try to go on her own. Something in her told her she should probably not travel alone, but she pushed that idea aside and prepared for tonight. She was bursting to tell Paul about her adventures, but she knew he wouldn’t understand. He didn’t like the concept of other worlds and things like she did. He was strictly a ‘here and now’ person. Though they were different, she loved her brother dearly.