Spirit Storm by E.J. Stevens Read Free Book Online Page A

of the most sane people I know.”
    “Well, then why are snakes talking to me?” she asked. Emma turned to face me, her usual calm exterior shattered. “When I was locking up, as we were leaving the house, the snake in the terrarium by the door spoke to me.” She looked like she was going to be sick and her hands had started to shake.
    “But I thought this happened once before at the clinic,” I said. “No big. Really. This stuff happens to me all the time. Granted it usually happens in my dreams, but I think there’s some weird metaphysical trickster who likes to mess with us and make us all experience these things a bit differently. I wouldn’t worry about it though. You are not going crazy.”
    “When it had only happened once I thought I could just blow it off as a one shot trip to crazy land,” she said. “But when it just happened again it was like…like being told that I’m now a part of this. Like no matter how much I want to go back to being normal I am going to stay like this. I…I guess I just wasn’t ready for the big reveal.”
    “Yeah, I don’t think any of us ever are,” I said, reaching for her hand.
    Emma gave my hand a quick squeeze, then pulled back to face the road. “You know what I could use right now?” she asked. “A good fight and a whole plate full of cookies.”
    I had been hoping to avoid one of Simon and Emma’s explosive arguments, but if that was what would make her feel better right now then that was what she would get. One big bad wolf coming right up.
    We arrived at the cabin a few minutes later and Emma marched in looking for a fight. I almost felt bad for Simon. Almost. Calvin and Emma were the only one’s there though when I walked inside.
    “Where is he?” Emma asked, arms crossed and foot tapping.
    Cal raised an eyebrow, but answered, “Simon shifted and went to check the perimeter. We need to be careful with the killer still out there somewhere and neither of us have been here all afternoon. He should be back soon.”
    “We baked cookies,” I announced, waving the plate of oatmeal applesauce cookies.
    “All for me?” Cal asked, jokingly. “Thanks!”
    “No, not all for you,” I said, laughing. “You have to share.”
    Cal slipped his arms around my waist and leaned in for a kiss. “Are you sure I can’t have the whole plate?” he mumbled.
    Nice try Calvin Miller. “Have…to…share,” I mumbled.
    He kissed the edge of my mouth and smiled. “Okay princess, may I have one cookie?” he asked.
    “Sure,” I answered as he ate the cookie in two bites. “It’s vegan.”
    “What?” he asked and nearly choked. “You could have told me first.”
    Emma and I started giggling. “But then you never would have tried one,” I said.
    Cal pulled a funny face and pretended to choke making Emma laugh harder.
    “Act like that and I’ll make you eat the whole plate yourself,” Emma threatened.
    “Mwhahaha, my evil plan has succeeded!” Cal exclaimed. “Hand over the plate.”
    Emma and Cal ran around the cabin with the cookie plate. It was good to see them both laughing. Just like old times.
    We all had a funeral to go to the following day so Emma and I left early. Simon hadn’t returned yet, but Emma no longer seemed in need of an argument and I was too tired to deal with his annoying personality. We agreed to meet at Cal’s parents’ house in the morning. Our group would then split into two couples, me and Cal and Emma and Simon, so we could blend at the funeral. Oh yeah, this was going to be fun.

Chapter 9
     
    October 23 rd
     
    I awoke to the rumble of thunder overhead. Great, that bodes well. I rolled out of bed and padded to the window. The sky was gray, with dark smudges of storm clouds in the distance, but it wasn’t raining. Yet. I walked to the bathroom and flicked on the overhead light. My reflection stared back at me gloomily. I was wearing my retro Gremlins pajamas and Gizmo was giving me a thumbs up.
    “Yeah yeah, I know, Gizzy is