Billy pulled his arm back, the muscles in his arm tensed from the electric shock that had ridden up his arm. “Ow!” Then there was almost a devilish laugh. Slowly Billy reached out again, this time there was no shock as he grasped the knob, turned it, and entered the room.
“Hey Buddy, how you doing? Don’t let a little static put you off. ”
A chill ran up his spine, and his skin felt tingly as the figure in the chair spun around. There was Joey sitting in his casual pose on Billy’s desk chair. “Seriously? I have no freakin’ idea what’s going on with me. How we’re able to talk as if you were really here and I’m not just imagining you. Things I’m apparently able to do that defy what seems normal.”
“Yeah. Crazy right?”
“To say the least. But tonight I went out on a date and enjoyed myself even though there was another freakish event on the way there with her in the car. She seemed to take it in stride and chalked it up to superior driving skills. I felt she knew something more though.”
“Oh, that would be Mallory.”
“Yes.”
“She’s a good match for you. There’s chemistry there and more of a connection than you currently can identify.”
“We had a great time, I definitely felt something and it seemed she was feeling something too. Of course, I could be reading more into this than what’s there.”
“I’ll bet, you let go and were yourself like you haven’t in a long time. Like when we used to hang out. I’m sure it’s for real. Good that you were able to relax some.”
“Did you ask her about the Indians?”
“We talked about it a little. Seems there was a tribe that lived on her property years back.”
“The Wakatoba tribe. You need to know more about them…”
“Yes. She told me some basics, then we were interrupted by the band and she wanted to dance. We’re getting together tomorrow. Billy glanced at the clock in the room, 12:37. Actually, later today.” Billy yawned. “I think we’ll talk about it some more then. I really need to…”
He looked over towards his friend, but Joey had vanished. Man what is going on with me? He stripped down to his boxers and slid into bed and was asleep in moments.
Billy awoke the next morning, the sun streaming through the window. Despite the late night he felt well rested and in a good temper. Glancing at the clock he saw it was 9:11. Wow I really crashed. He threw on some clothes and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of breakfast wafted up the stairs.
“Well hello sleepy head”, his mom laughed, “I was just going to come knock on your door. I made you some breakfast.”
Billy saw a stack of blueberry pancakes and some sausages and immediately was hungry. “Thanks Mom!”
As he slid into his chair, his mom spoke, “So. How did your date go last night? We didn’t hear you come in.”
“It was great. It’s been a long time since I had so much fun. I really like Mallory, I can talk to her so easily. Kinda like when I used to hang out with Joey. I’m getting together with her today for lunch.”
“Oh, that’s nice dear. I’m happy for you.”
They talked a little more while Billy ate his breakfast and she asked about school. The back door opened and his dad came in. “Ah I see the dead rises”, he chuckled, “You have fun last night.”
“It was great. Best fun I’ve had in a long time.”
“Good. Mallory seems like a nice girl. I hope the two of you hit it off.”
“They’re getting together for lunch Ralph.”
“Oh so I guess things went really well. Have fun Billy. Will we see you later or are you heading back to school from there.”
“Back to school, I have a lot of project work to do. But I plan to be back next weekend.”
With a twinkle in his eye his dad replied, “I bet you do. Ready Margie?”
“All set I have a bag by the door.” His dad picked up the bag and his mom came over and kissed him on the forehead. “We’ll see you next weekend then. We’re off to an outing with the Robinsons.”
“Say hello to Charlie if he’s around.”
“He’s off to school in Tucson, but we’ll mention it to his folks. See you later dear.” She followed his dad out the door and closed it behind her.
Billy finished his breakfast and loaded his dishes into the dishwasher. Standing at the window he looked into the back yard reminiscing. He and Joey had spent so much time between his home here and Joey’s house. But he no longer felt a sense of loss, he felt gratitude for having such a good friend and the times that they had shared.
As he looked into the back yard the hairs on his arms began to raise. A patch of violet tinged fog seemed to start developing over at the base of the big tree… Was it only a couple weeks ago he had fallen from the old tree house? There was a short pulse of bright white light and the fog was gone. In its place, the white wolf was sitting patiently, scanning the yard as if it was waiting for something. He was sure it hadn’t been there a minute ago. Isn’t it strange that I am no longer questioning that these things are happening to me but am now just trying to understand how and why? The wolf looked directly at him from his sitting position, looking a lot like a german shepherd. He seemed to smile at Billy and then he faded away, the space now empty.
Billy had planned to wait a little bit before calling Mallory; make sure she had an opportunity to sleep in if she wanted. Now he had an overwhelming feeling that he should call right now. He went back inside and dialed her number.
“Hello Mallory. I hope I didn’t wake you?”
“No, I’ve been up for a while. In fact I was thinking about calling you just now but wasn’t sure if you were up yet. ”
“Ha. That’s funny. Like minds I guess. What’s up?”
“Do you think you could come over now, something strange happened last night after you left and I’d like to talk about it. Something tells me you’re the perfect one to lend some insight.”
His heart leaped. What could’ve happened? Strangely he smiled, Not that he wasn’t happy to see her sooner. Whoa pal, slow your roll. Don’t let your emotions get ahead of you. Stay focused on what’s going down. “Sure. I can head out in a couple of minutes.”
He heard Gomer let out a deep growl and start barking. “Gomer, what do you hear? Billy I gotta…” There was a crackle and then the line went dead.
What the… Billy felt anxious as he climbed into the Bronco and raced out the driveway.
What’s happened to Mallory? Will Billy arrive in time? Come on back next week to find out.
Episode 16 – 8/12/21
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