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“Cassandra blows out the lights all the time,” Seer interjects, sounding confused.
“That’s just energy,” Pocus says, remembering our conversation from last night. “You’re telling me this thing can harm the living?”
I nod, and he bounds out of the room. I hear his feet padding up the stairs, and I know that he’s going to pack up his wife and daughter and send them away. It’s his MO. When there’s danger lurking, he makes sure his family is safe above all else. He did the same with Evanesce.
“You should rest, child,” Mama says to Tory, who looks weak. She clutches at her stomach and moans.
Seer walks her out to the porch and Mama leaves the room, heading toward the kitchen. I’m alone in the living room, lost in my thoughts. I’ve never encountered a poltergeist before, but I’ve heard terrible stories. If this monster is after us, no one is safe.
* * *
The five of us reconvene on the front porch a few minutes later. Mama has made Tory a tea that has already revived her. She looks much more herself. Pocus paces the length of the porch, waiting for Abigail to come downstairs with Daisy. He’s already brought their suitcases down.
We’re in a holding pattern, unsure of how to proceed. Nothing good can come of this creature, but until we know more, we can’t do anything.
“We should fortify the clubhouse against the ghosts,” Seer says authoritatively. “It may not be a ghost, but salt should still work on it, right?”
Pocus stops his pacing and glares at Seer. “We can’t do that to the other ghosts. It’s not right. If Hex is right, they’re terrified. They need somewhere safe to go.”
“What about us?” Seer shouts “Don’t we deserve to be safe too?”
“You have to help them,” Tory tells him gently. “I feel their anxiety, Nicholas. They’re all terrified of this thing. We all should be.”
Mama nods and eyes Pocus meaningfully.
“It’s good that you’re getting your girls out of the city. It can’t hurt them as long as they’re away.”
“Then what do we do?” Seer asks desperately. “How are we supposed to stop a spirit?”
“It’s not impossible,” Mama tells him. “There’s an old spell to trap them. But I will need Tory’s help.” She glances at Tory, who’s sitting in a rocking chair, still looking small. “Are you up for it, child?”
Tory nods despite Seer’s protest. His worry for her is evident on his face, but she won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do. If she thinks she’s strong enough, she’ll help Mama. She stands slowly and the two women go back into the house.
Seer glares at me, as if it’s somehow my fault. I glare right back at him. I don’t understand why he’s angry at me, but two can play that game. If he’s mad for no reason, then I’ll be mad right back. Pocus steps between us and tells us to stop acting like children.
“Tory is sick,” Seer tells us, his voice low. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but for the last two days, she hasn’t been herself. I don’t want her to get hurt because of this.”
“You think I don’t know what’s at stake?” Pocus growls. “I’m waiting for Knix to bring the car around and take my wife and daughter to a safe house. You are not the only one worried about your family.”
“I think we should fortify the clubhouse,” Seer grumbles. “What harm could it do?”
“It won’t help,” I tell him darkly. “Salt isn’t going to stop a poltergeist. It’ll just leave the ghosts more susceptible to its attacks.”
“And what exactly hurts ghosts?” he accuses. “Because it seems to me that Pocus and I are both making sacrifices for your precious, invisible friends.”
The porch light flickers, and I know Cassandra must be in the rafters, listening. If not her, then one of the other ghosts who rely on us to keep them safe from this evil spirit.
“We can’t stop it if we’re fighting with each other,” Pocus warns. “I know you’re upset, Seer, but you have to pull it together. It isn’t Hex’s fault this is happening.”
The screen door slams, and Abigail stands there with Daisy, looking afraid. They’re dressed for travel, and little Daisy holds her hands out for Pocus. She doesn’t understand what’s happening. She’s too young. She just wants her dad to hold her.
Seer and I go inside, giving them the privacy to say goodbye. We find Tory and Mama in the kitchen, making a strange concoction. I miss when our kitchen was used for making food and not as a witch’s laboratory.
“What are you guys making over there?” Seer asks warily.
Tory smiles at him reassuringly, letting him know she’s okay. But I see it now. I see how her skin has a paler complexion, and sweat beads on her forehead. I see how tired her eyes look, and I realize I’ve been a bad friend to her. If Seer is right, and something is wrong with Tory, this all might be too much for her.
“We’re creating a trap for the spirit,” Mama tells him. “We can’t see it, but he can,” she says, pointing to me. “Hex, it’s up to you to find the poltergeist. You’ll use this to paralyze it.”
