Page 135 of Into the Mist

Karen handed her the wine bottle and shakily cut herself below her thumb. She smeared some blood on the apple and then held her hand out to Gemma. “I’ll take the wine again, please.”

They didn’t speak as they passed around two bottles of the excellent cabernet and stared at the apple.

Nothing happened.

Karen blew out a long breath. “Well, it seems I still can’t make things grow.”

“But it’s undeniable that you’re seeing spirit energy,” said Stella.

“I just don’t understand.” Karen looked at them helplessly.

“None of us really do,” said Mercury.

“There are no rules to follow for what’s happening,” said Ford. “I think all we can do is to accept that we don’t know the extent of how and why any of you have changed.”

Stella nodded. “Or at least not yet we don’t.”

“Oh Lord.” Karen looked dazed. “What do I do now?”

“About what?” Mercury asked.

Karen’s face was red and blotchy. She pointed at herself and grimaced. “This! Who I am now!”

Stella met Karen’s panicked gaze. “You have the same choice the rest of us have. You can accept the changes or let them frighten and repulse you, so you’ll be miserable for the rest of your life.”

“Not to mention the fact that you’ll never reach your full potential,” added Ford.

Gemma sighed, “I sure hope there’s another choice.”

Mercury sipped from the bottle of wine before she nodded and said, “Oh, there definitely is.” She turned to face Karen. “You can accept yourself for who you truly are, without judgment—and appreciate your uniqueness—and also practice being kind to yourself and others for the rest of your life.”

Karen nodded and then slowly said, “I can see the spirit world.”

“Here,” Imani handed Karen a tightly rolled joint. “This’ll help.”

“Help what?” Karen asked.

“Help it all seem a little less scary,” said Imani.

Karen studied the joint. “I’ve never smoked marijuana.”

“Now’s a good time to start,” said Mercury.

“You could be right about that,” Karen said. “Show me what to do.”

As Mercury carried the lantern outside with her to the temporary restrooms, she was still giggling to herself about how absolutelyhilarious Reefer Karen had been. She’d kept them laughing with anecdotes from her classroom that proved she’d had a sense of humor long before Mercury, or anyone else at Will Rogers High School, had realized it. Then, mid-story, the history teacher announced,I shall go night-night now. Night-night!She tumbled backward, hugged her backpack like a pillow, and within seconds began to snore softly.

Mercury quickly used the very rough facilities and then hurried back to the cave. The rainclouds had been blown away by a chilly northern wind to reveal a spectacular waning moon that was still almost full. The ebony sky was completely clear. It exposed a blanket of glitter that entranced Mercury. Just outside the entrance to the cave, she extinguished the lantern, leaned against the rough rock, and stared above her. She gasped as an enormous shooting star blazed to its death.

“You okay?” Ford’s deep voice made her jump.

“Oh my Goddess, you scared me!” Mercury fanned her face, not sure if the wine, the weed or the fright he’d given her had made her cheeks so hot.

“Sorry ‘bout that.” His white smile flashed in the darkness. “I heard you gasp and, well, I guess I’m not over what happened this morning.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure why I’m not more freaked out about it,” Mercury said. “Maybe it’ll hit me later.”

“I hope not.” Ford spoke so earnestly it made Mercury grin.