The Crystal Visions: A Families Journey into the Paranormal Volume 2 (6 page)

         
Shaley exited the side door of the house not knowing exactly where she was going. She stood momentarily wondering in which direction she should go. The day was overcast and cool with the slightest bit of fog still lingering over the water and as far as the road. She heard the sound of water lapping on the shore as the wind blew westward across the Megnetewan. As she rounded the house she was confronted by an unfamiliar figure coming toward her wearing a navy blue pea coat and a black watch cap. The man had his hand buried deep into his pocket; the other held a walking stick. He seemed to brace himself against the weather in spite of the spring like temperatures they were presently experiencing. In his haste he almost knocked her down and she had to scramble not to be trampled. He stomped right through a mud puddle splashing stagnant mold smelling muddy water up onto Shaley’s clean white socks and sneakers. “Shit!” Shaley cursed under her breath.

          She heard that sound again like a steam engine chugging along the river and she turned her attention in that direction. As she walked she made her way through the meadow and because of the dense fog closer to the water she almost stepped on
a small red furred creature. Shaley was on top of it before she realized and saw it was a small puppy hiding among the red clover and tall stalks of Queen Anne’s Lace. As she approached Shaley saw that it was holding its right paw up off the ground. She knelt to examine her closer and noticed blood on its snout.

          The puppy cowered in fear and pain
as she reached out her hand. Shaley looked back over her shoulder in the direction of the strange man but he had already disappeared. She looked around in surprise. Where had he gone? There hadn’t been enough time for him to have made himself hidden from her line of sight. A whimper drew her attention back to the whelp. She drew the pitiful creature into her arms as it shivered and whined in fear and pain. “What the hell happened to you girl?” Shaley said to the pup not expecting an answer.

          She stood and carried the poor creature toward the house. Who would hurt a poor defenseless animal? “Aunt Sona Help Me!” Shaley called as loudly as she could. “Auntie Help!!” Sona came out the back door. “Shaley what
’s all the shouting?” She asked. “Please Auntie she needs help.” Shaley begged. Sona took a closer look at the pup and concluded that a trip to the vet was in order. “I’ll get my keys.” Sona said slipping back into the house. Markie showed up at the same time. “What happened?” She said after seeing the blood on the pups face. “I think the man in the blue coat and hat hurt her.” Shaley replied. “Man? What man?” Markie asked looking around suspiciously. “When I went down by the river a man passed me. Kinda ticked me off too because he splashed muck on my shoes stomping through that puddle over there.” Shaley pointed toward the mudhole.

          Markie didn’t much like the idea of some stranger lurking a
round the property, especially one who could hurt an animal… no telling what else they were capable of. Markie went over to the puddle for a closer look. “Which way did he go?” Markie asked when she returned. Shaley described every detail she could remember about the man and the strange encounter before she and Sona jumped into the truck for the short drive into town. ~

          Shaley sat on the floor petting Ruby as she lay on the makeshift dog bed she’d fashioned out of one of her old comforters. She’d been calling the waif Ruby because of her reddish fur, white socks and chest medallion that looked like a bowtie. The vet had examined her thoroughly and found some swelling around her face, front leg was fractured and now she sported a plastic splint wrapped in medical tape. After x-rays they also found two cracked ribs and it had taken six stitches to close the gash on her cheek.

       Storm sat beside Shaley lookin
g curiously at Ruby but when Ruby looked in his direction curling her lip and growled softly he looked away. Storm had decided he was Shaley’s shadow and hadn’t left her side since they’d returned. Markie watched from the kitchen doorway. “What kind of person hurts an animal like that?” She said to Sona. Sona just shook her head in disbelief. “Funny thing is that when I went to look where Shaley said she saw the man I didn’t see any footprints in the mud… but I did see splash marks on the sides of her socks and shoes but not on the bottom.” Markie said. “What do you think that means?” Sona asked. “I have no idea. Shaley doesn’t lie. I walked all around the side of the house all the way back to the river but I didn’t see anything. It’s a mystery for sure.” Markie said still keeping her eye on the kids and the new dog. Sona came over to stand beside Markie and slipped her arm around her waist. Markie lifted her own arm and placed it on Sona’s shoulder pulling her in for a snug. “What are we going to do with another dog?” Markie asked. Sona just smiled and shrugged. ~

       Naomi sat at her usual booth at the back of the diner sipping coffee and waiting for her star pupil. Shaley may be young but she had more than her share of metaphysical prowess. Naomi loved spending time with her protégé, teaching her how to handle certain circumstances and events. It had been a long time since she’d stretched her Shaman muscles but she also knew that this young woman might just surpass her teacher before too long.

          Emma strolled in for her shift waitressing followed clo
sely by Shaley. Shaley went to the counter for a mug of coffee and headed to the back booth. “How’s it going kiddo?” Naomi smiled at her. Shaley poured too much sugar into her coffee. Naomi frowned. “Since when are you allowed to drink coffee?” Naomi asked. “I haven’t been sleeping very well to be honest. I was hoping it might help wake me up.” Shaley informed her.

         
Naomi looked more closely at her young friend. She did seem to have some heavy luggage under her eyes along with some discoloration. “Is taking care of that new puppy keeping you up?” Naomi asked. Shaley shook her head. “I’ve been having nightmares.” Shaley replied looking a little embarrassed. “My family think I’ve lost my mind.” She explained. “I very much doubt they think that Sweetie. Tell me what’s going on.” Naomi suggested. Shaley explained about all the disturbing dreams she’d had recently and finished off with the events leading up to finding Ruby. “I overheard Markie say she didn’t see anything… not even fresh tracks in the mud. How can that be Naomi? I swear I saw a man!” Shaley begged her mentor to believe her. “OK first of all if you say you saw someone I believe you. No questions asked… ok?” Naomi reassured her.

          Shaley’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Can I tell you something?” Shaley said suddenly looking very serious.
“Sure” Naomi said ordering another cup of coffee. “Sometimes I see things and when I turn away and look back it’s different. Numbers change, peoples’ faces change, one time I looked in the mirror and for a split second I saw how I will look when I am older. Am I losing my mind?” Shaley really looked worried. “Absolutely not!” Naomi said looking her directly in the eyes and holding her gaze. “Then what’s going on?” Shaley begged.

          Naomi took a deep breath. She wanted to try to explain to this extraordinary young woman in a way she would understand. “There are several
layers of reality that co-exist simultaneously. Each is valid in its own right.” Naomi said. Shaley frowned not sure she understood. “Ok let’s just imagine for one moment that there are things in this universe that we don’t understand. Some of us are able to see glimpses of those other realities from time to time. Dreams are one of the places the membrane between dimensions can be breached.” Naomi tried to explain.

         
Shaley sat thinking for a few moments. “That reminds me of a dream I had a while back that I’ve never told anyone.” Shaley told her teacher. “Lay it on me!” Naomi said. “It didn’t seem like much at the time. I was napping on the couch and I woke up to the sound of the chug chug of a steam engine down by the River so I walked down the hall to the kitchen to look out the back window. The house smelled wonderful as Aunt Sona was baking my favorite cookies. I didn’t make it to the window because the next thing I knew I was waking up on the couch again. I smiled to myself thinking how much I loved those cookies and once again I heard that chug chug sound. I walked down the hall to the kitchen again but this time everything was slightly different. The hall was longer, the kitchen cupboards different and even Sona had darker hair and a few pounds heavier. Again the dream stopped before I reached the window and I found myself waking up on the couch again. I thought to myself wow that was weird. I ran my fingers through my hair and went down the hall again. Everything I saw was so crisp and clear. This time the house was very different but still I recognized it as my own. Sona was there again only this time she was stirring a big pot of something. She looked up at me and smiled then snap I was back on the couch. This happened maybe four or five times before I finally woke up for real.” Shaley finally stopped and looked questioningly at Naomi who had a strange smile on her face. “What?!” Shaley asked with her eyebrows knit together.

          Naomi
made sure there was no one close enough to overhear their conversation. “You got a glimpse of Your or perhaps I should say Our true nature of existence. We choose our primary focus here in this life and ignore all the others that exist. You received a very special gift of being able to see that. As you get farther and farther away from your life here things become less and less visually recognizable but you knew in your heart that they were all you. You received an amazing gift Little Sparrow.”

          Naomi stood, took their used mugs to the counter and headed for the door. Shaley had been contemplating Naomi’s words when she realized she was being left behind and scurried to catch up. “Where are we going?” Shaley asked. “First we’re going to stop at my place to pick up some supplies and then we’re going to your place to take care of that little problem of yours. Do you think Sona and Markie are there?” Naomi inquired. Shaley just shrugged.
They hopped into Naomi’s vehicle and before proceeding she made a quick call to Shaley’s Aunts. She had something planned and she needed their permission to proceed. She received their official okie dokie and put the truck into gear. “You’re going to like this.” Naomi smiled at Shaley. ~

          Sunny and Jenna found a softly grassed shady spot on the shore of the Magnetewan. They spread their blanket out on the slope so they could relax and watch the comings and goings of the boats as well as keeping an eye on Spencer who insisted on fishing in the heat of the day. Sunny knew there was very little chance of catching anything but he’d looked so happy about the prospect she helped him dig up some night crawlers.

          Jenna made sure he was wearing a cap and slathered copious amounts of sunblock on the poor chap.
Jenna snuggled into Sunny’s arms before turning and sharing a deliciously deep and passionate kiss. “Do you really think he’s going to catch anything?” Jenna asked. “I doubt it but he does seem to be getting better at casting.” Jenna smiled and leaned back. She could smell the soil and scent of pine needles wafting in from across the river. The birds seemed to be singing a chorus… each variety taking its turn. The Sparrows started followed by the melodious tones of the Goldfinch interrupted by crescendos of Red-winged Blackbirds.

          Damsel flies hovered above the young Water
Lilies and Catails. When the sound finally died down the distant drone of Cicadas broke the silence. “I love this place!” Jenna said with a contented sigh. “When are you going to come live with me? The two of you spend half your time here as it is.” Sunny asked for the millionth time. Jenna took a deep breath of clean fresh air. Sunny was lying on her back so Jenna leaned up on her elbow hovering over her. “I’ve been so happy since we’ve been together. I just want to make sure it’s the right thing for Spencer. Let’s give him some time to get used to the idea… ok?” Jenna said looking down at Sunny’s lips and running her index finger across them. Sunny closed her eyes savoring the sensation. “I love you so much Jenna. Take all the time you need. I have some things I need to do before the two of you come to live with me anyhow.” Sunny pulled Jenna toward her hugging her tight.

           Jenna glanced over at Spencer
who was putting a fresh worm in his hook and casting his line back into the river. “Wash your hands in the river Buddy.” Sunny called to him. Spencer turned smiling broadly. He rinsed the worm slime off his hands and turned to the adults giving the thumbs up sign. “I love that kid.” Sunny said smiling. Jenna slipped her hand under Sunny’s t-shirt caressing her abdomen and starting to slowly move upward. “You better stop that!” Sunny said grabbing Jenna’s hand on the outside of her shirt. Jenna giggled and sat up ready to start a full blown wrestling match. “What the shit!!!” Jenna exclaimed.

          
Sunny sat up on her elbows. “What? What’s the matter?” Sunny asked glancing in the direction Jenna was looking. “What the hell is your crazy Mother up to now?” Jenna giggled. “She’s not crazy. She’s a very gifted and respected Shaman.” Sunny gently corrected. Jenna loved to tease Sunny and smiled mischievously. She loved Naomi and had the greatest respect for her but she couldn’t resist the urge to pull Sunny’s chain.

          Jenna watched Naomi and Shaley move erratically around The Rectory’s back lot. Naomi held ha
lf of an Abalone shell in one hand with herbs burning inside while fanning the smoke with a collection of Bald Eagle feathers. She fanned the smoke around Shaley and enveloped her in a thick cloud while saying something Jenna couldn’t quite hear form her vantage point. Shaley stood stock still with her arms straight out at her sides while Naomi cleared her energy field. Naomi slowly made her way along the shore and then circled the property before disappearing into the house. “What was that all about?” Jenna asked Sunny. “It looked to me like she was smudging the property next door.” Sunny said simply. “Oh” Jenna replied.