Work In Progress Mysterious Visions

Hi, 

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Today I thought I would share the first chapter of a work in progress, Mysterious Visions.  Remember as you read chapter 1, that this is a work in progress. There will be mistakes. This chapter will go through more revisions. 

Thanks, 

Chapter 1

             I slid the amethyst angel charm back and forth on the chain around my neck as Allison and I walked down the school hallway. I had a nagging feeling something was going to happen today to change my life.  

“Nicole, are you asking Will to the party?" Allison asked.

“You know I can’t date him."

"Why not? You've been crushing on him since we were thirteen." Allison peered over her rose-tinted sunglasses. "I see the way he looks at you. He thinks you're hot, especially when you pull your hair back in a French braid with those little wisps framing your face. He must go for that sultry brunette look.”  

I lean closer to her and lower my voice so no one else could hear our conversation. “What if I get a vision while we’re kissing or something?”  

"You've kept it a secret this long. And I'm sure if he finds out, he won't freak or something."

“You freaked out.” I elbowed her side. 

“Just a little. But what did you expect, we were only nine, and I never met anyone like you before. But things are different now. People are more accepting of these things.” 

“Maybe on the mainland, but not here. Here, people want normal, not different. Look at the way the islanders treat Moonbeam and her mother just because they practice Wicca. And when I first arrived on the island Mrs. Evan and her cronies watched me like a hawk because they thought I was like my mother. I hate to see what they would do if they knew I was.  I don’t control this gift. I don’t even know how it happens. I just get this feeling, a psychic vibe, and I see things.”

We stopped in front of Allison’s locker. She opened it and shoved her books inside and slammed it closed. “I still think you should ask him out. It’s our senior year. We’re supposed to have fun. And guys are fun.”

 “I know. But I don’t think he likes me.” I slipped my arm around Allison’s as we walked down the hall. “He hardly talks to me and he’s never asked me to a party.”

“Nicole, give the guy a break. You ask him.”

“I…I can’t.” I fingered my necklace. I’m not a flirt and I don’t like to make the first move.  

“Sure you can. It’s easy. Watch.” She untangled her arm from mine and fluffed up her curly blonde hair. Placing her sunglasses on top of her head, she pointed to Sam, leaning against the lockers.

Easy target. Even a plain-Jane like me could make nerdy Sam forget his own name.  He dressed like any other guy on the island t-shirts and surfer shorts, but he looked so nerdy in his thick, black rimmed glasses and he always carried an armful of books.

Allison swung her hips as she approached him. “Hey, Sam.”

He dropped his books. I cupped my hand over my mouth to hide my laugh. Allison caressed his arm.  “You going to the beach party?” she cooed.

He managed to nod, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. 

She leaned in to him like she was going to kiss him, but instead, she whispered in his ear.

Poor guy. I felt bad for him, but he was a guy and probably enjoyed Allison’s flirting.

“See you there,” she said with a flirtatious smile.  

Sam didn't take his eyes off her tight-jean ass as she strolled back over to me.

“And that, Nicole, is how it’s done.” Allison slipped her sunglasses back over her eyes.

“Yeah, but you have no intention of dating him.”

“So. I made his day. And I’ll spend some time with him at the party until some cute guy catches my eye.”

We walked down the hall and rounded a corner.  I bumped right into Will. 

“Sor  _”A whirlwind of pictures flashed in my mind.

A wave washes to shore tickling our toes. Will leans in and warms my lips with a kiss. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer to him.  

"Are you okay?" Will’s voice drew me out of my vision, but I kept staring at him like a fool. I wanted to reach out and kiss him.

He waved his hand in front of my face. "Hey, Nicole Kendall. Are you in some kind of trance or something?”

"Dude, you got a gross booger hanging from your nose," Allison said.

Will brushed at his nose.

"Okay, you're good," Allison said. "But if I were you, I'd go blow your nose."       

She wrapped her arm around mine and turned me away from Will. We walked down the hallway.

"Thanks," I mumbled as we surged out into the dreary gray day.

“That was close,” Allison said. “For a moment I didn’t even know you were having a vision.”

“I didn't even feel it coming. There was no warning. No psychic vibe. It was like bam and I was inside this vision.”

“So what did you see?”

“He was kissing me,” I breathed out.

                “Girl, you've got to ask him out.” Allison pulled the hood of her jacket over her head. “Should’ve grabbed my umbrella. Looks like it might rain before we get to your place.”  She took off her sunglasses, and shoved them into her jacket pocket.

                “Maybe it’ll clear up.” A salty breeze sent a chill up my spine and I zipped my jacket up.  

We walked down the cobbled streets to Fisherman’s Wharf and turned on Main Street, we stopped in front of Grams’ Antiques. A brick building with two store front windows.  Painted in red on one of the widows was Gram’s Antiques. In the other window was a Christmas display, an old silver tree with red, blue, and gold bulbs. Under the tree a toy train chugged along on a track. It’s not Christmas but grandpa doesn't want to chance it. The scene gives the shop a homey feel. Sweet smells from the candy shop next door drifted out to the street and my mouth watered.  I live above the shop in an apartment.

I glanced through the storefront window at Arnold’s Discount Store on the other side of Gram’s. The female clerk rang up a customer.  A few weeks ago I touched her and in a vision she stole a gallon of milk to take home to her kids. I wondered if she ever went through with it.

We entered the antique shop and the little brass bell above the door jangled.  Grams stood behind the counter talking to Mrs. Evan.

“Oh, great,” Allison whispered. “Mrs. Evan. Probably trying to ferret out gossip to spread all over town.”

“Hey, Grams.” I rushed behind the counter and kissed her rosy cheek. “Allison and I are hanging out in my room.”

                Grams wrapped me in a hug. “Okay. There’s a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies upstairs.”

                “Ooh that sounds good, Mrs. Andrews. Your cookies are better than the fudge next door.” Allison took a step or two toward the stairs. “And less fattening.”

                Grams laughed. “Thanks. Could I please get you girls to help me with a few boxes first?” She looked at me. “Your grandfather picked up a lot of glassware this morning and I’d like to go through it and see about getting some of it on the shelves. They are looking a little bare these days.”

                “Where’s Grandpa?”

                “He’s gone to another auction on the mainland. He’ll be back by Monday.” Grams tucked a strand of her graying hair behind her ear.

                “Allison, how’s your mother doing?” Mrs. Evan pushed her wire-framed glasses up, but they slid back down her pointy nose. “I hear she’s been sick.”

                “She’s fine now, thanks,” Allison said politely.

 “Come on, Al, help me with the boxes.” I tossed my worn book bag on the stairs. Allison’s pink bag landed next to mine.

                “Martha, did you hear about the Parkers?” Mrs. Evan asked. “They’re having financial troubles and might …” 

                We entered the backroom. “Sheesh, there she goes again. I swear she makes this stuff up just to hear herself talk.”

Allison laughed. “I’m sure she does most of the time.”

Allison and I went back and forth, carrying boxes into the store until I set the last one on a table. “That’s it, Grams.”

“Great. Before you head upstairs can you set that box of books over by the bookcases and we’ll stock them later,” Grams said, before I could place my foot on the bottom step.

                With a sigh, I lifted the box and headed toward the bookcases. Someone stepped out of the aisle and a blur of green brushed by me. A tingle rushed through me and the room spun. The box slipped from my hands and plummeted to the floor. Pictures slammed into my mind like a freight train.

 A loud noise clangs in my ears. Mom and Dad scream, terrified looks on their faces.  Metal crashes into metal. Blood. The taste of blood. The smell of blood. Sirens scream in the distance.  Dad lies hunched over the steering wheel. Mom slumps in the passenger seat, a trickle of red dripping from a gash in her forehead and down her pale face. 

“Mom! Dad!” I fell to my knees. I closed my eyes and the image of their bloody faces swam in the darkness.

Grams was at my side, enveloping me in a hug. “What’s wrong?” she whispered. 

                “I saw them … Mom and Dad.” I opened my eyes, forcing the image away. My hands shook. My whole body trembled. “Their car accident. Their dead bodies. Who touched me?”

                “Nicole has visions!” Mrs. Evan exclaimed. “Just like her mother did!”

                I stared at her in disbelief. No. No. Not my secret. It would be all over the island.

                “It’ll be okay,” Grams said as if reading my mind. She helped me to my feet. “Did you see who it was?” 

                “No.”

                “Some guy in a green hoodie just left,” Allison said.

I rushed to the front door. Allison followed. I looked up and down the street, searching the crowds. “Do you see him?”

“I didn’t get a good look at him.” Allison looked one way and then the other. “He put his hood up as he reached the front door.”

No green hoodie stood out in the crowd. My heart sank, and a nauseous feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I leaned against the store window and my head throbbed. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

The front door opened. “Come inside,” Grams said. (it might be raining)

“I don’t understand. Who could have caused such a…” Mrs. Evan stared at me with her beady, drink-it-all in eyes. “terrible thing?

“Oh, honey.”  Grams led me back inside. 

Mrs. Evans put her hand on my shoulder. “Oh, you poor thing. You should sit down. Allison, please go get Nicole a glass of water.”

Allison glanced at me. I shook my head. “I’m going to puke.”

Alison grabbed my arm and led me to the bathroom.

“Marge,” Grams said to Mrs. Evans. “You need to leave and I don’t want my granddaughter being the talk of the island.”

“The people have a right to know what she can do.”

Their voices faded away as I puked my guts out. Once there was nothing left in my stomach, I sat on the cool linoleum and leaned against the wall. My head pounded like a surfboard had hit it.

Allison handed me a glass of water. “Here. Rinse your mouth.”

Through the open slit in the door, I saw Mrs. Evan turn on her heels and march out the front door. It slammed shut.

 “Well, so much for keeping your secret,” Allison said. “You know that witch will have it all over the island.”

I lowered my head, covering my face with my hands. “I can’t believe it. I’ve been so careful keeping my secret and now this. Everyone will avoid me like I’ve got the plague.”

Grams stepped into the bathroom. “I’m sorry, Nicole. There is just no talking to that woman. But what worries me is why you saw your parents’ accident. You weren’t involved in the accident and you were never at the scene.”

“I know. It was so real, like I was right there. Do you think this green hoodie guy was the drunk driver, Anthony Reed?”                                                 

“Can’t be,” Grams said. “He’s still in prison.”

“But what if he escaped?”

“I’ll look into it.” Grams blue eyes swam with worry. “Why after all these years are you having a vision of the car accident? I fear it can only mean trouble.”