HeatMarie

  The chime of a message woke me. “Happy Birthday, girl! See you tonight.” With a groan, I rolled out of bed. It was going to be a bad day. For six years, that nightmare lay dormant, lurking and waiting in the recesses of my mind. On the night when I learned about Frank’s early release, the malefic force flipped a switch and crawled from the darkness, scratching its razor-sharp claws against my mind. It forced the floodgates open and poured relentless reminders of every wicked, cruel thing that man had ever done. Only this time in a twisted version, playing scenes from “the incident” as Dustin and I called it. The first jolted me awake during my walk home. The second stirred me as I heard the rustling in the bushes, and on the third, Dustin shook me awake as the bird landed on Frank’s porch. 

  Stepping into the bathroom, I flicked on the light. “Some birthday,” I muttered under my breath. “Who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive such a thoughtful gift?” At 9:03 a.m., the man who tried to steal my last breath was free to suck in all the fresh air he desired. I hoped he’d choke on it. Shaking the thought, I continued my usual routine. A brisk shower, hair pulled up into a hasty bun and dressed in the trusty black leggings, a comfortable t-shirt, and running shoes. Opening the fridge, it maintained our late morning ritual by creaking and slightly detaching from the hinges. Neither of us were particularly fond of mornings. While plucking a cutie from the drawer, I used my foot and found the sweet spot on the bottom of the door, two inches from the edge, then lifted it up and forced it closed. 

  Citrus filled the apartment as I peeled the rind and tossed it into the trash. Bit by bit, I ate each slice. The last piece that slid down my throat turned my stomach into an acid wasteland. For the last few weeks, everything was difficult: thinking, eating, sleeping, and on the worst days, the mere act of breathing felt like an arduous task that left a constricting tightness in my chest. 

  I popped my earbuds in, selected my running playlist, and started walking towards the park. Even with the volume at its max, the music still wasn’t loud enough to drown out my thoughts. Every contemplation, every mental journey, circled back to Frank. Worse, now the waiting game began. He wouldn’t be Frank if he didn’t try something now that he was free. The weight of the entire ordeal weighed down on my already fragile frame. Perhaps the bastard would do as the court ordered and leave me alone. But I doubted it. 

  Just give me something good for once! My internal plea was a desperate summons to anything in the universe willing to listen. Not like anything ever did, but regardless, the thought ricocheted, just once!

  Turning the corner, sunlight reflected off the metallic copper and gold lettering on Archaic Wisdom’s hanging sign. The bookstore had the extra addition of herbs, essential oils, crystals, and psychic readings. It was a one-stop shop for the mind. Certain people in town considered it an eyesore; all the witch nonsense made people feel certain ways. Okay, it scared the ever-living crap out of them. And yet, the amount of people who snuck in and out of the small little shop claiming to be looking for a book they couldn’t find didn’t surprise me.

  I didn’t believe in magic, but books captivated me. For a mind like mine, nothing is better than escaping into a world where imagination becomes a reality filled with magic, adventure, love, mystery, and all the things that play games with the mind while embracing human emotions. The reflecting light blinded my too-tired eyes and forced me to look down and spot a “now hiring” sign nestled in the shop’s window. 

  My eyes moved back and forth between the hanging sign above the door and its counterpart in the shop’s window. Maybe… maybe this is a sign? Well, of course, it’s a sign. Just not the kind you were hoping for. However, I did need a job and there was a sign. Just do it. The other voice that always tried to be a voice of reason emerged, “Don’t do it.” Like always, I contemplated it and decided to ignore it. “Come on! You don’t even believe in magic.” The thought forced me to a stop, and as I glanced in through the large front window, I saw rows of books lining the shelves. I do like books and there are lots and lots of books. “Don’t do it…” 

  Its whisper faded as I pulled open the door, and a tranquil hush stilled my mind. Notes of sweet musk with a hint of a lemon drop permeated my newfound sanctuary. Soft, ambient light casted a warm glow onto the shelves, cradling books and adorned with herbs and crystals. Together, they created an enchanting atmosphere.    

  My eyes met the warm gaze of the woman behind the counter. She wore a gentle smile and lines of kindness etched into her eyes. “Welcome. Let me know if there is anything I can help you find.” 

  I stood frozen in a dumbfounded gaze that locked me in place without a single coherent thought. How awkward was that? I didn’t even realize what I was doing. I watched her black dress, one that balanced between sophistication and elegance, flow around her as she took small bottles from a box and placed them on a shelf. Her long, dark hair with perfect, loose curls swayed as she moved. 

  My brain decided to work again as I looked down at my dirt-covered shoes and wondered what the hell I was doing. From the looks of her and the looks of me, I was in no condition to be asking for anything, let alone a job. I was a hot mess, and even I knew that.

  While I was in the process of criticizing my appearance, the woman moved to a nearby shelf and gently glided her finger along the spine of an exquisite leather-bound book. It was as though the book was more than ink scribbled on paper. It had purpose and significance. It was a beautiful book, yes, but judging by its worn leather and loose binding, many hands have held it and it had seen things no human being still alive had seen. It told secrets of the past, and by the way, she cradled the book with tenderness, it narrated promises of the future. She flipped through the pages as she made her way back to the counter. Without looking up, she gracefully pushed aside a crystal bowl and set the book down.

  Intrigued, and feeling awkward standing there, I walked up to the bowl, drawn in by its mesmerizing array of stones. Each one seemed placed there for a reason, their colors and textures accenting one another, a testament to subtle artistry. I selected a blue stone streaked with gold and gray, and then traced the smooth groove along its side, admiring how perfectly it was tailored to the curve of my thumb.

  “Lapis Lazuli.” She said to me, “One of my favorites.” The calm softness of her voice and the glossy surface cool against my skin spread a calmness through me, and for a moment, stilled my frantic racing heart. Lost in the peacefulness, I failed to notice her pause, until I looked up and saw her dancing eyes and a warm smile playing at the corners of her lips. 

  “You’re here to ask about the job, aren’t you?” She asked.

  “I… I am, yes.” I looked down at the stone and hastily dropped it back into the bowl. 

  “I thought so. I’m Annabelle.” She held out a hand to shake mine. “Do you have time to answer a few questions?”

  My gut twisted and flopped like it was trapped inside some old-timey churn barrel being beaten with a handle of nervousness and transforming everything inside into a thick, heavy sensation that coated every action. For a moment, I considered running out the door like a child caught stealing. “I do,” I said, forcing a smile.

  “Come sit with me.” She stepped out from behind the counter and walked over to a loveseat that sat in front of the shop’s window. Sitting down, she leaned back on the couch and crossed one leg over the other, making herself comfortable. I followed her actions but sat with a stiff, straight back and folded my hands into my lap. 

  My body relaxed as Annabelle told me about the duties: helping customers find items, inventory tasks, making appointments for the psychics and reiki masters, and organizing events, such as book signings or group meditations. She explained how the shop had been in her family for generations. It used to be an old pharmacy, even then they sold love potions and psychic readings. The only difference then was that they did it in the basement, out of sight of everyday customers. She finished telling me the history and then the hard part of the interview began. 

  “Have you ever worked in a place like this?”

  “No,” I said.

  “Tell me about your previous work history. What did you do? What did you enjoy about it?”

  “Well, I’m a nanny for John Holland, one of the attorneys at the Hamford Law Firm. Well, I was. Until yesterday. They are moving. He got a new job out of state. I enjoyed watching Lane and Kolby. They are good kids and never caused too many problems. There was this one time, though, that Kolby locked Lane inside the dog kennel with the dog, of course, and then Lane wouldn’t stop crying for hours after I got her out. It’s not like she was in there long, just about five minutes is all. See, I was in the bathroom when it happened. Other than that, I never left the kids unattended. Anyway, with them moving, I kind of need a new job now, so that is why I came in to ask about this one.” By the time I finished rambling, I was more than completely embarrassed and wasn’t even sure I answered her question. 

  “I see.” She paused for a moment. In that brief span, no longer than a couple of breaths, doubt filled my head and caused every muscle to twitch and knot as they urged me to save myself. Run far away and never show my face around here again. My skin flushed as she finally continued. “Do you know anything about herbs, oils, ointments, or homeopathic remedies?”

  “No,” I said.

  “Have you ever had any paranormal experiences?”

  “I don’t believe so?”

  “Ever spoke with a medium, psychic, tarot reader, or astrologist?”

  “No.”

  “Do you know anything about them?”

   I shook my head. As predicted, this was not going so well. I bit my lip as she asked the next question.

  “Do you believe in witches, witchcraft, spells, or any of the abilities I just asked about?”

  I hesitated for a moment, gulped, and gave the honest answer. “No.”

  “I see.” With a drawn-out pause, Annabelle kept a straight face. Reading people’s emotions and feelings through their expressions was usually effortless for me, but with her, it seemed she had no emotions at all. 

  She leaned forward and raised an eyebrow before she spoke. “Do you like books?” My thoughts raced as I watched her expressions change drastically. Did she hear my thoughts? See me staring at her face, trying to guess what she was thinking? I figured it was best to keep my thoughts on something else, just in case. I looked around. 

  This was like heaven to me. “I love books.”

  “Good, we have a lot of those. A bit of everything. They make up most of the duties, and organizing them is a never-ending task. The second you think you are finished, someone always comes along and places a book where it doesn’t belong. It’s important to watch high school kids. It’s a common thing for them to place the Kamasutra books in the children’s section.” She let out a lighthearted laugh, then asked her last question. “Do you believe in fate?”

  “I do,” I said. The words tumbled out and I couldn’t help but marvel at them. “I do,” I repeated, almost as if conforming to the idea. Fate, destiny–whatever you want to call them–had never been more than just abstract concepts to me. Yet, despite my skepticism, there had always been a muted belief nestled deep within my soul—a belief that, even amidst the chaos and pain of my past, there was a grand design at work. Why would there not be? How could there not be? Even if it turns out to be untrue, I would rather go on believing the lie than face the formidable truth that all I had been through was for nothing more than an old man’s violent vigor. 

  Caught in the deep thoughts, I sank further and further into them. Annabelle’s words came like distant sounds, lost in the cacophony of my thoughts. Her gentle voice broke through the haze that snapped back my attention as she said, “Thank you for stopping in Haley.”  

  A heavy sense of despair covered me like a suffocating blanket as I pushed myself up from the couch. I managed a feeble nod of gratitude towards Annabelle and, with my voice barely above a whisper, I said, “Thank you for your time.” 

  Each step towards the door felt like a descent into the depth of what I had already predicted to be a bad day. I should have listened to the voice when it told me not to walk in there. 

  As I reached for the door handle, Annabelle’s voice stopped me. “Wait,” she said with soft laughter, “Don’t you want to know what time you should be here tomorrow?” She asked.

  Turning back around, I saw her smiling. “I’m sorry?” My eyebrow raised in curiosity.

  “Does 10 a.m. work for you?”

  “I got the job?” I asked, avoiding her question.

  “Why, of course!” 

  “But how? I answered no to almost everything you asked. I don’t believe in spells and magic. I know nothing about witches and herbs or anything like that.”

  “Are you trying to talk me out of giving you the job? Why, this is a first.”

  “No, no,” I said. “I’m just curious why.”

  “You believe in fate. You are the only person who has inquired about the position since I posted the sign. You did so the day after my former employee left. I need a person to hire. You need a job and fate has brought us together. The rest will come in time.”

  “Thank you! Tomorrow, 10 a.m.?” 

  “Yes, I’ll see you then. Oh, and Haley,” she approached me and placed something into my open hand, “Happy birthday.” She moved hers away from mine and there in my palm was the familiar smooth stone. My thumb traced its edges, finding the spot where my thumb fits perfectly.

  I hesitated out of surprise before I remembered to thank her. 

  “Blessed be, Haley,” she said. Then whispered once more, “Blessed be,” as I pushed open the shop door. How did she know? I didn’t remember telling her my name, let alone my birthday. But then, how did she know me? 

  I determined it was a characteristic of small towns. Most people knew everyone. It didn’t matter how much I stayed out of sight or how oblivious I stayed to other people, most knew things; too many things. 

  A new lens of the world encased my vision. Vibrancy shone through as if someone had lifted a clouded veil from my eyes. The leaves of the trees danced more playfully, their hues pulsated with vitality. The grass was more alive, and with each breath, my lungs filled with a crisp freshness that invigorated my senses and further cleared my mind. Life was unfolding like never before, with sheer vividness and possibilities. I surrendered to it, put my headphones back in, tapped the play button, and then I ran.

  Within minutes, I found relief from the relentless sun as I entered the park’s dense forest and continued my run down a winding dirt trail, skipping over small puddles that were left behind by a recent rain. The trail wound itself through the heart of the forest, up cliffs, down into hidden canyons, and alongside the river. Deeper in the woods, the path narrowed, forcing me to jump over small logs and duck beneath low-hanging branches. Each twist and turn revealed the landscape’s untamed beauty.

  Approaching the top of a hill, anticipation built within me and my pace slowed as I began my descent, but I never stopped running. Each downward step sent a burning exertion through the back of my thighs. It was a welcoming pain, one of pure satisfying discomfort–a confirmation that I was pushing beyond my limitations. Exhaustion clawed at my muscles, causing my right foot to drag across the ground as I reached the bottom of the hill and picked up my pace. I refused to yield to it. With each labored breath, I forced myself forward.

  Ten minutes later, my head began to throb as a cruel reminder of my body’s protest. With a heavy sigh, I pressed on, alternating between running in sprints and slowing to a jog. “Just a bit further,” I murmured to myself. The words were more a plea than reassurance. “I’m almost there.” On the other side of the hill was my final destination, a lake and its tranquil waters waiting for me. 

  The desert in my mouth made me curse at my shortsightedness. Usually, I ran with my hydration pack, but that morning my thoughts were on Frank and when I left the apartment I forgot about it. Instead, it hung in the closet, full of the water I desperately needed. 

  My body was punishing me for it, crying out for relief. Still, I maintained my pace and shifted my focus to the approaching figure. A lone jogger blurred from the sweat dripping into my eyes. Determined, I set him as my marker, telling myself I could walk the rest of the short distance if I ran until he passed me. 

  Fate had other plans, and so did the menacing tree root hiding beneath the decaying leaves. The ground rushed up to meet me; the impact jolted through my hands as they broke my fall. Now this is embarrassing, I thought, as a wave of humiliation mingled with pain and frustration.

  I leaped to my feet, praying that the man didn’t notice. Of course he did. His lips were moving, but with the music blaring in my ears, I didn’t hear him. I assumed he was asking if I was okay, but I really couldn’t be sure. Heat flooded my cheeks. I braced myself on the tree, sat back down, and with shaking hands, removed my earbuds.

  “Are you okay?” He asked.

  “Ah, that’s what I thought you said. Yeah, it’s just hot.”  

  The man pulled out a bottle of water from his bag. “Here,” he said, handing it to me. “This will help.” His eyes heavy upon me, watched me, tracking my every movement like I was a wounded animal in need of rescue.

  I accepted the bottle with trembling hands. “Thank you,” I said. My head was spinning like a carnival ride gone out of control. Just keeping my hands steady enough to not spill the water or drop the bottle seemed like a battle. 

  “Do you need a hand getting back to your car?” 

  The water flooded my desert throat, making me cough as he spoke. “Sorry,” I said, covering my mouth. “I’ll manage. Thank you for the offer and the water.” His pensive stare challenged my words.

  My mind stopped swimming and resurfaced from the ocean. It was during that moment of absolute clarity that I finally saw the man standing before me. His face flushed with effort, his skin glistened in sweat, and I couldn’t help but admire the curve of his muscles. Blame it all on the heat. But regardless, he was a handsome mystery, with dark hair and pale blue eyes that soared with the winds and kept all their secrets locked inside. “You’re new here, right? What’s your name?” 

  “Warren,” he said. 

  “Haley?” Dustin’s voice came from a short distance down the path. As I turned my head in his direction, I saw him and Alex running, concern scrawled on their faces. 

  “That’s me, and that’s my brother and his friend,” I said, giving the man a gentle smile.

  “I should get going. It was nice meeting you, Haley. I’ll see you around.” He grabbed his bag and walked back in the direction he came. 

  “Why are you on the ground?” Dustin asked. “Are you okay?”

  “Who was that? And what did he want?” Alex questioned, pointing his finger in the direction the man went.

  “Warren, I guess. I got hot, he offered me a bottle of water. No big deal.” The words slipped out a bit more harshly than I intended. 

  Dustin held out a hand to help me up. “Just making conversation Hal, no reason to get grumpy.” I sighed, taking his hand. I don’t care what he called it, that wasn’t a conversation. It was an interrogation.