Emma and the Weeping Spirit by Matthew S Cox

Author:Matthew S Cox
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781949174809
Publisher: Division Zero Press
Published: 2019-03-21T04:00:00+00:00

16

Going Home

Emma buried her face in the pillow, fighting the urge to cry. She rubbed her rear end, the stinging made her blush all over again. Between shame, anger, and her fear at the ghost’s warning, she doubted any more sleep would find her tonight. Watching Da hit Brant had made her feel a little better. Twice, he’d been knocked to the floor with Mama and Emma watching. As embarrassing as it had been to be spanked to the point of tears at her age, she hoped Brant’s humiliation had been worse. He hated Mama even more than Grandmother did, and to have her watch him lay there moaning…

She sniffled, considering crossing the hall to crawl in bed with her parents. Maybe there she could feel safe enough to sleep. In the stillness, their voices murmured from behind two closed doors. They didn’t sound like they argued, but Da’s tone gave off a sense of plea. He likely tried to talk Mama into staying for the wedding.

“Wha’as ’a matter?” whispered Kimber.

Emma pushed herself onto her left side, facing her sister. Almost touching noses, Emma stared into the darkness, unable to see Kimber’s eyes. She’d rather no one ever found out about what had happened, but figured her sister would hear eventually. Better to get it over with.

“Em?” whispered Kimber. “You’as ’kay?”

“No.” Emma’s lip quivered, but she kept her emotion mostly out of her voice as she explained everything.

“He’as mean.” Kimber scooted closer and hugged her.

“I want to go home. I hate this place, and I’m scared.”

Kimber released the hug and settled into the bed. “You’as ’fink he’as goin tae ’urt you again?”

“I don’t know. The ghost… umm, Celia said I’m not safe here. What if she knows something is going to happen?”

Kimber remained quiet for a little while, likely thinking. “Tha’as bad.”

“I’m not sure Mama believes me. I’m not making it up.”

“I’as do. You’as nae fibbin’.”

“Nan didn’t come with us. Why?”

“’Cause, Nan would’a already put the lightnin’ on Brant.”

Emma grinned. Fleeting happiness faded fast, leaving her shivering from worry. “What if he wants to get me back? What if the ghost is right about something else? Something feels wrong in this house.”

“I s’pose. I nae feel et.” Kimber stretched. “But I nae druid.”

“Let’s go home,” said Emma.

“Nae. It dark an’ cold. Bed’s warm.” Kimber clung. “Cozy.”

“I’m afraid to sleep here. What if he sneaks into our room?”

Kimber poked her in the side. “Why’as you say ’at? Now I cannae sleep.”

“Nan’s home. Da can stay for the wedding and we’ll be happy.”

“We’as git in trouble,” whispered Kimber.

Emma slid out of bed. “I’d rather be in trouble than dead.” She raised her hands. “Mythandriel, please lend me your light.”

A glimmering orb of white-green energy appeared, a little faerie-shaped silhouette in dark green at its center. Emma squinted from the sudden change in brightness. Once her eyes adjusted, she hurried to the trunk and changed from her nightdress into her beloved blue one. Putting it on felt like a hug from Nan. She eyed the curtains at a howl of wind, and debated putting up with shoes.

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