Asheville became a Christmas village right after Thanksgiving, and now Isabella could enjoy it. Her first day without school was not spent sleeping in. Instead, she was up early and on the phone with Amber. She wanted answers, and Joseph had to work full-time now to get enough money for tuition. Amber was at her doorstep only moments later with a few surprises. “I didn’t think everyone was going to tag along on this one.” Isabella welcomed the gang into her hallway and helped them with their coats. Even Katie was there holding onto Jessica for extra warmth. “So, what’s the plan?” Kelly asked. “There’s a store I want to go to. I did some quick searches about paranormal stuff, and there was a hit here in Asheville.” “What’s it called?” Jessica asked. “The Natural Path Store, it’s a Native American store across town, and I’ve wanted to go there for their tea anyway.” “They sell tea?” Amber asked. “Loose leaf.” Isabella smiled. “Well, let’s g
Winona was working when they arrived again. Isabella was not wearing her headpiece this time and was smiling at her new friend. She took her to the room to show her something. “What’s up with her?” Jessica asked. “Just wait.” Amber said. Isabella took off her wig and had Winona examine her scalp. The older woman looked around and then at her. “Yes, I see it.” “I guess I’m ready to have hair again. I was told it would come back when I could handle it, and I guess that is now. I was told that hair can be like antennae and really pull in those psychic senses.” “Yes, that is correct. That is why I don’t really cut my hair. You might be surprised how quickly yours grows back in. I had an interesting dream last night about it. I hope you like true auburn-colored hair?” Isabella smiled. “That would be wonderful.” “You can still wear your outfits. Your hair is going to grow in just fine.” “Good.” “You ready to tell everyone now?” “Yes
Isabella and Joseph were on another date but with Kelly and Brent when a text message caught Isabella off guard. A nurse at the hospital got her number from Officer Cruz, and it was about one of the victims she rescued. After reading it twice, she put her phone down, and they all knew something was not right. “Sorry about that. I know it’s rude to text while on a date.” She looked upset. “What is it?” Kelly asked. “I just got a message from a nurse about one of the girls Amber and I rescued. She said it wasn’t urgent, but that they wanted me to visit her and see if I could help.” Joseph took her hand. “She needs the angel.” “Stop it.” Isabella blushed. “So, what are you going to do?” Kelly sipped more of her tea. “I guess I’ll be going there tomorrow.” “Which one is it?” Kelly asked another question looking at Brent and then back at Isabella. “Julecia Herrera but I don’t remember all of the girls. There are sixty-five after all.” Ke
The End of May was a time of celebration for the seniors at St. Bart’s, and Isabella was as excited as any of them. After Lucy made the attempt on her life, things at St. Bart’s changed radically. It was revealed that Lucy Upshaw was Mr. Stenson’s niece through his sister. Not many knew that Lucy’s mother was his sister because she was a drug addict for years, and the Stenson family disowned her except for him. As if this was not damning enough, every time Lucy got into trouble at school, Mr. Stenson went over the principal’s head and the head master’s office straight to the rector or even the bishop himself. Father Tom, the rector for years was taking bribes from Mr. Stenson in what amounted to several hundred thousand dollars to keep Lucy in school there and keep things quiet about Lucy’s mom. After Lucy’s attempt on Isabella’s life, there was nothing he could say, pay, or do to stop the police investigation that followed. Father Mark was involved because after he threw Mr. Stenson o
The beige walls were covered in glossy paint from some twenty years ago. The cinder blocks went in both directions only disturbed by a few solid wooden doors with industrial metal frames. The bench she was sitting on was across from one of these doors marked with a bronze plaque that said “principal” in raised letters. She assumed there was another one down the long hall with a sign marked “vice principal” as well. There was a muffled existence of students moving in the hallways outside of this hidden hall. The morning announcements, pledge, and prayers were all finished. A single electronic bell tone signaled the movement to begin, but she was still sitting there seemingly immune to all of the bustle. She looked down at her feet which were covered in a pair of old dirty sneakers that had long ago lost their appeal and value. They had thick soles at one point, but now they were worn smooth. The once interesting little wheels that were hidden in them were no longer functional and jammed
The last tone of the day came across the bell system of St. Bart’s, and Isabella found herself alone again in the restroom. She had picked up a couple of more uniforms from Sister Margaret and insisted that her new friends get their things and meet her in the commons area before they agreed to walk her home. In their long introduction, Isabella learned that two of them, Kelly and Amber, lived just a few houses apart and about one block from her aunt, where she was now residing in a semi-permanent situation. She admitted that she did not know if she and her mother were going to move anywhere else. She began to realize that things were not going back to some kind of normal like she had imagined or even thought about over the last few weeks from the death of her father to her being upended and moved to Asheville upon the insistence of her mother who simply would not stay in the Atlanta area anymore. She liked her new friends because they were honest and more real than anyone she had ever
Her bedroom was now her sanctuary. Isabella tossed her bag on her bed and stripped off her coat, shirt, and shoes. She put on a t-shirt and thought about changing her skirt, but she liked the look of the skirt and tights now. She emptied two boxes of books onto her bookshelf before collapsing on her bed in a head storm of thoughts and emotions. She had heard so much over the last two days she began to question the truth of it all wondering if it was all some sick joke being played on her. “I’m showered. Dinner plans? A…” Isabella thought a moment. She got up and went to find Linda who was in her office at the back of the house. She leaned in to see if she was busy. Her aunt’s shoes were off with her stocking feet resting on an ottoman. She was reading some realtor sheets and calculating some numbers. “Hey, Linda? Can Amber come over and stay for dinner?” Linda looked up. “It’s a school night. Is that okay with her mom?” “I’ll ask.” “If it’s okay with her m
It was days later before she was allowed to sit up again. She was moved into a private room and visitors were finally allowed to see her. Linda and her mother were constantly there holding vigil over Isabella until they felt she was ready to see her friends again. The first two were Amber and Jessica, her first friends in Asheville. Jessica was just as upset as Amber when they finally saw her. She was thinner and looked weak. This was not what they expected, and it made it worse for them. They let Kelly in along with Ashley and the others who were all still in their uniforms hoping that would cheer her up. The physical therapy began, and she had no idea that she would have to learn how to use parts of her legs again. It was just a matter of getting them under her, but she was feeling the urge to push through it. She hated feeling helpless. It was roughly the third day of her stay in the private room when Kelly showed up with another friend. She recognized the hooded little