Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(7)

“That’s fine with me. I’m surprised you haven’t made any plans for tonight. Hannah and Jessica stopped by the shop today looking for you.”

Jessica and Hannah were friends of mine and big fans of my mother. My father seemed to grow a little tense. I felt his emotion shift to concern. He spoke before I had the chance to respond.

“What could you possibly need at the store? Between you and your mother, you could open a store on your own.” His voice seemed uneasy as he spoke.

My mother hesitated then looked across to my father. She did not seem to be as cautious as my father was trying to be.

“I just want to see if they have anything new. I think Monica is working anyway,” I responded, a bit defensive.

My mother reached out and put her hand on my father’s hand. Bringing his attention to her big brown eyes, she spoke softly, almost imploring him to listen to her. “Jason, let her go.”

He started to say something, but she put her fingers to his lips, and with their eyes locked, she seemed to reassure him. Taking advantage of the distraction she had given me, I stood quickly.

“I won’t be out late,” I promised. “Hey, Libby, give me a hug.”

“Can I go with you?” Libby asked, dancing in her seat. It was obvious she just didn’t want to sit there anymore.

“Young lady, it’s close to your bedtime. Give your sister some space,” Mom ordered, putting her sketch in her purse.

As I walked past them I didn’t look at my father. I shouted, “Love you guys,” over my shoulder as I walked toward the art store.

Unfortunately, the images were walking in the opposite direction of the art store, toward where my parents were sure to be walking shortly. The art store was just a few spaces down from the restaurant, so I went in quickly, trying to give them time to leave. My friend, Monica, was sitting behind the counter, reading a magazine.

“Hey, Willow,” Monica said absentmindedly as she marked the page in her magazine.

“Hey,” I said, staring out the storefront.

Monica is a good person, honest with her emotions. Sometimes too honest, but she always seemed to lighten any mood I was drowning in.

“What are you looking for?”

“Nothing, really. I was just getting some space between me and my parents.”

“Willow Haywood, why on Earth would you ever want to do that?” she asked sarcastically. “Wait, don’t tell me you’re sneaking off to meet one of your many admirers. Who’s the lucky guy? Dane? Josh, maybe?”

I grimaced as she said the names, which only made her laugh.

“Hey, go to the lake with me tomorrow. Hannah and Jessica are going,” Monica pleaded, walking toward me and trying to see what I was looking at outside the store.

“Yeah, I guess. I’ll see if Olivia wants to go, too,” I said, still staring impatiently out the window.

“Guess what? There’s a new guy in town. Chase has been showing him around today. He is drop dead gorgeous, tall, and muscular, but not too muscular, like Josh. He has the most amazing eyes. They just pull you in when he talks to you.”

Monica’s dramatic description made me laugh. She had always been a bit boy crazy, not a good trait to have in a small town. There are not a lot of them to go around.

“Who is he?” I asked not really caring.

“His name is Drake. Chase met him this morning. He’s renting out the studio at Chase’s house. He’s going to the lake tomorrow, too,” she continued.

“Monica—”

“I’ll pick you up at noon,” Monica asserted.

I let out a deep sigh. “Fine. Look, I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Love ya,” Monica yelled as I walked out.

Waving goodbye and walking back onto the street, I glanced back toward Antoine’s. My family had left. The streets were clearing out. I could see Mom and Libby almost a block ahead of me. Wondering where my father went, my eyes searched for the group of three as I started to walk in the direction I’d seen them before.

My house was only a block away now. Just as I was thinking of turning back I felt the pull again.

I saw them a few feet in front of me: three girls, young. I wasn’t sure what was wrong. Their faces held an expression to which I’d rarely been called. There was utter silence all around them. My stomach dropped, and I felt a little sick. I always felt this way just before I got in trouble. If I had any sense I would see this as a sign to turn around and go home, but my curiosity won over my anxiety. I stepped closer.

The night air seemed to chill as a breeze swept through the trees. I could feel emotions all around me. Beyond my images was one full of anguish. I glanced back but all I could see were the people in the distant lights of the streets. Not sure where the anguish was coming from, I ignored it and decided to help the images before me. Long ago I figured out the best way to end this fear of the phantom images was to face them.

Breathing in, I looked at the girls and reached out for the one closest to me. Instantly, the pull and the tingling sensation absorbed me once again. I smiled as I relished in the feeling. I was past the fear and now I could help.

The night became darker. I felt the cold rain. The girls trembled as they walked. Their exhaustion was apparent in the manner in which they carried themselves. They were finding their way back. It was apparent they had been lost for some time and were near the end of whatever trepidation they had faced. They just needed one little push to cross the finish line.